47-230. Taking up stray; notice, requirements; record of ownership and animal released, when; costs. (a) Any person may take up any stray found upon such person's premises or upon any public thoroughfare adjoining thereto. Within 24 hours after taking up the stray, such person shall report the taking up to the sheriff of the county in which the stray is taken up. The report shall include a description of the stray, including the type of animal, color, weight, size, sex, age, marks, brands or other distinguishing features, the place where the animal is kept and the address of such person who took up the stray. The sheriff shall then notify the state animal health commissioner and the owners of all registered brands found on the stray. If the sheriff and the animal health commissioner, or the commissioner's duly authorized representatives find and establish the owner of the stray, a record to that effect shall be kept.

(b) Subject to the agreement of both the sheriff and the animal health commissioner, or the commissioner's duly authorized representative, the stray shall be released to the established owner upon payment of:

(1) All costs accrued in the stray proceeding, including the cost for any damage which the stray may have caused while in the sheriff's control; and

(2) reasonable compensation to the person taking up the stray for the costs of keeping and feeding such stray, including the cost for any damage which the stray may have caused.

History: L. 1945, ch. 226, § 2; L. 1947, ch. 297, § 1; L. 1951, ch. 310, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 329, § 1; L. 1970, ch. 205, § 1; L. 2012, ch. 140, § 9; July 1.