Upon taking up an estray animal or animals, and after sending a description to the county sheriff, the taker-up shall be entitled to hold the same lawfully until relieved of its custody by the sheriff. Should a claimant for said animal apply to the taker-up for possession of this animal, the taker-up shall at once notify the sheriff, and should the sheriff be satisfied that said applicant is the rightful owner, he shall issue an order authorizing the taker-up to grant possession of the estray to the rightful owner. The owner shall be required to pay to the taker-up the actual cost for keeping the estray, together with the actual amount of any damages suffered by the taker-up as a result of the estray being upon his premises and such costs and damages shall be approved by the district judge and shall be entered on the order by the sheriff.

Laws 1970, HB 1658, c. 165, § 4, emerg. eff. April 9, 1970; Amended by Laws 1980, HB 1757, c. 161, § 2, eff. October 1, 1980.