2006 Utah Code - 4-25-4 — Possession of estrays -- Determination and location of owner -- Sale -- Disposition of proceeds -- Notice -- Title of purchaser -- Immunity from liability.

     4-25-4.   Possession of estrays -- Determination and location of owner -- Sale -- Disposition of proceeds -- Notice -- Title of purchaser -- Immunity from liability.
     (1) Each county, except as otherwise provided in Section 4-25-5, shall take physical possession of any estray it finds within its boundaries and attempt to determine the name and location of the animal's owner. The department shall assist any county which requests its help in locating the name and location of the owner or other person responsible for such animal. If ownership of the estray cannot be determined, or, if having determined ownership, neither the county nor the department is able to locate the owner within a reasonable period of time, the animal, notwithstanding Title 67, Chapter 4a, Unclaimed Property Act, shall be sold at a livestock or other appropriate market and the proceeds of such sale paid, after the deduction of feed, transportation, and market costs, to the county causing the sale of such estray.
     (2) No sale of an estray under this section shall be conducted without notice of the intended sale being published at least once ten days before the date of sale in a publication with general circulation within the county where the estray was taken into custody.
     (3) The purchaser of an estray sold under this section shall receive title to the estray free and clear of all claims of the owner and any person claiming through the owner.
     (4) The county, provided it complies with this chapter, is immune from liability on account of any estray sold at a livestock or other appropriate market.

Amended by Chapter 10, 1997 General Session