11-24-115.

11-24-115.

11-24-102. Taking up estrays; generally.

(a) No person shall take up and retain possession of an estray except in the county where he resides and is a freeholder, nor unless the animal is found on lands owned, leased, or controlled by him or his duly authorized agents. When any person takes up an estray he shall immediately notify an inspector who shall inspect or cause to be inspected the estray for brands and other evidence of ownership and make a diligent effort to learn or determine ownership of the animal. The inspector may cause any estray to be held for not more than ten (10) days after the inspection to enable him to complete his investigation of ownership. If the estray is claimed by an owner, the bill for feed and care incurred by the inspector must be paid by the claimant. If the rightful owner cannot be found, or when found, refuses or fails to pay the charges for feed and care of the estray, the inspector shall order the estray be disposed of. Incurred charges for feed and care by the inspector and reasonable shipping and disposal expense shall be paid from the proceeds of the disposal. The net proceeds, if any, received from the disposal of the estray after deduction of authorized expenses, shall be forwarded to the estray fund of the board or its agency. The board or agency shall hold the proceeds in a special fund known as estray fund until paid to the rightful owner of the estray or otherwise disposed of according to law.

(b) If the proceeds of the disposal of any estray are insufficient to pay all legitimate expenses, the deficiency shall be paid by the board or its agency.

(c) The board may enter into agreements with licensed meat processing plants to process meat from livestock disposed of by slaughter. The processed meat shall be sold to:

(i) Wyoming state institutions or to nonprofit organizations for no more than the board's cost for disposal, processing and delivery; or

(ii) For profit entities at market cost for the processed meat.

11-24-103. Taking up estrays; penalties.

Any person who takes up or retains possession of any estray without the owner's knowledge or consent, or who in any manner restrains from liberty for the purpose of using or making use of any estray without the knowledge and consent of the owner shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103.

11-24-104. Stallions and jacks generally.

If any horse or ass not gelded, two (2) years old or upwards, is found running at large, it is lawful for any person to take up the horse or ass and give notice to the owner or keeper if known. If the owner or keeper does not appear within six (6) days thereafter and pay expenses incurred for the feed and care of the animal to the person possessing the animal, the person shall advertise the horse or ass and the same proceedings shall be had as provided in the case of estray animals, or the person possessing the animal may after the expiration of thirty (30) days from the time of advertising, geld or have the horse or ass gelded, at the risk and expense of the owner, except when the horse or ass is in the owner's herd, or in care of the owner's herder. The owner of the horse or ass shall be liable for any damages caused by the animal to property or other livestock.

11-24-105. Unclaimed horses; permit for gathering; disposal.  (a) Any person desiring to gather unclaimed horses from the ranges within Wyoming shall obtain a permit from the livestock board, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section. The permit applicant shall submit with the permit application written permission to access the range whereon the unclaimed horses are to be gathered from the person who has ownership or control of the surface rights of that range. The form of the permit shall be prescribed by the board.

(b) If after an inspection under subsection (c) or (e) of this section, the rightful owner cannot be found, or when found, refuses or fails to pay the charges for feed and care of the estray, the unclaimed horses shall be disposed of by the board under the laws pertaining to estrays.

(c) The permit and the unclaimed horses shall be presented to an inspector within the county in which they were gathered without unnecessary delay for determination of ownership.

(d) The permittee shall be responsible for all expenses associated with gathering, feed and care of the unclaimed horses until an inspection has occurred.

(e) A permit is not required for any person desiring to gather unclaimed horses located on private land on which the person has ownership or control of the surface rights. A person who has gathered unclaimed horses on private land on which he has ownership or control of the surface rights shall present the unclaimed horses to an inspector within the county in which they were gathered without unnecessary delay for determination of ownership and shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the gather and feed and care of the unclaimed horses until an inspection has occurred.

(f) Any horse claimed by the United States bureau of land management as belonging to a wild horse management unit is excluded from this section.

11-24-106. Unclaimed horses; penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of W.S.