Section 171 Liability to county or town of owner or keeper of dog; action
Section 171. The owner or keeper of a dog which has done damage to live stock or fowls shall be liable in tort to the county for all damages so done which the county commissioners thereof have ordered to be paid as provided in this chapter. The county treasurer, except as provided in section one hundred and sixty-five, may, and if so ordered by the county commissioners shall, bring such action. In Suffolk county, such owner or keeper shall be liable in like manner to the town for damages so done therein which the aldermen or selectmen have so ordered to be paid; and the town treasurer may, and if so ordered by the aldermen or selectmen shall, bring such action.