"When any sort of animal crosses into your property, they're not technically yours, they're somebody else's,"

So, if someone had a fully fenced in Pasture, and the Gates to the Pasture was locked , but their $100,000 Budweiser Clydesdale jumped the fence and went into the neighbor's Pasture; that Neighbor could claim full ownership of that Horse and refuse to return it ??????????????

If that is true , that law is messed up !!!

I think you second sentence is exactly the opposite of the first.

Makes sense to me that if a Clydesdale came onto my property is still isn't mine. Technically or otherwise.

I think you are interpreting the law the opposite of what it says

I'll double Arkansas guarantee the owner of a horse like that would have a different view

By that logic, when a neighbor's cattle get out and destroy my land, the neighbor isn't liable because they were mine at the time. Something seems twisted up there.

Indeed 'twas the queens deer I was huntin', m'lord.

'Twont appen again, I swears on it!




I still need a tag to hunt deer on my property....not sure how it works here for livestock.

I'm with white17; I think your interpretation is a little off.

In open range country its your obligation to fence animals out. Maybe that is what you were getting at? Even in places without open range ownership won't change hands. the owner is responsible for any damages without open range laws. Here in KS if you hit somebodys steer out on a county rd the steers owner is liable for damage to your vehicle. In open range states, on the open range, your buying the owners steer.

My neighbor has 1400 acres under high fence. He killed some does at night or out of state season - maybe both. Game and fish hit him big time. I figured a high fence deer - you could shoot anytime. Not true, here.

I think he would have to prove those deer were his to kill. Was the area pushed free of deer before the fence went up? And can he show records of purchasing deer to stock it? If not they weren’t his deer.

There is an animal sanctuary in New York state that had a couple of cows wander on to it's property. They are claiming them because, well, they like animals. and the farmer is just going to eat them. Cops were called, but farmer can't prove they are his. A good argument for a brand or ear tag.

In illinois the state of illinois owns all wild animals. If a deer eats my garden I cannot call the state of illinois and ask them to pay for my garden because they say it's a wild animal. Or I cannot shoot the deer for eating my garden because it's not my animal. If I want to hunt that animal they tell me I have to buy a license from them to harvest one since now it is their animal and they want the money. BUT since I own more than 40 acres in illinois they give me 4 free permits ( 2 bow and 2 shotgun ) to hunt a deer during the deer seasons but I have to follow the rules still and report the harvest to them.

Not here. The animal still belongs to the original owner, but the owner will be held liable for all damage caused by the animal. If another persons animal is and harassing your livestock, however, in this state you have all legal rights to kill the offending animal. Even if it’s not on your property. Like if a dog is outside your fence and is chasing your cattle up and down the fence line, you have every legal right to kill that dog.

So when the states deer runs out onto the highway and collides with your car why does your insurance pick up the tab, if the deer belong to the state?

The state doesnt own them. You own them once you have legally reduced them to posession. State can regulate how they may be taken under their police powers. Its why when you read through the rules dealing with hunting/trapping/fishing the words "take/taken/taking" are used a lot.

you have to think back to how a law like that gets made

I bet there was a dispute over cows at some point and the sheriff and politician not being farmers wanted to be done with it and said build better fences because as long as Bessie is in fred's pasture eating fred's hay fred gets to milk her


or chickens crossing over fence lines

assuming you mean this is a NY state law. even a 100 years ago it is doubtful many in Albany had any understanding of farming


cows is serious business , the only murder to ever happen in the township in WI my family comes from was over a cow possession dispute in about 1900

The woman who kept the cows was just arrested for grand larceny in the 3rd degree and the cows were returned

My understanding of Georgia law. Strays on your property does not transfer ownership. Property owner may contain said stray but must inform county sheriff. County sheriff may impound strays and determine ownership if owner comes forward.

And she got charged with a class D Felony!

I think the OP might be a little confused.
Common law which applies just about everywhere, holds that you are somewhat responsible for something that unintentionally ends up on your property.

For example; if someone's canoe washes up on your beach-front property, you are obligated to pull it up and try to locate the owner. In fact you can be held liable for loss if you go and push it back out in the water and it sinks or something. Usually the only way you can claim ownership is by following a legally prescribed process of notification.

I imagine similar rules exist for domestic animals that show up on your property.

The legal doctrine falls under "bailment" rules.

X2. Exactly.