Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonraker
It is still questionable whether Maggot had the right and authority to threaten anyone with his dogs, even if trespassing by mistake.
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As master of his lands, Farmer Maggot had complete authority to drive trespassers off his lands, with dogs or with weapons, for matter. Up until very recent times in Britain, poachers were summarily shot or hanged. Property rights trumped personal liberties for centuries, laws supporting landlords were harsh, and considering Maggot lived on the marches of the Shire, there was practically no law save for what he considered proper to protect his interests.