N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-01 Definition
4.1-75-01. Definition
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, "estray" means cattle, horses, or
mules, whether branded or unbranded, whose ownership has not been determined.
N.D. Cent. Code ch. 4.1-75
N.D. Cent. Code ch. 4.1-75
in effectN.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-02 Estrays - Possession
4.1-75-02. Estrays - Possession
1. If an individual discovers an estray on property that the individual owns or controls, the
individual shall make a good-faith effort to:
a. Take possession of the estray;
b. Determine its ownership; and
c. Facilitate its return.
2. If the individual is unable to determine its ownership, the individual shall:
a. Notify the sheriff of the county in which the estray was found or the chief brand
inspector, and:
(1) Provide to the sheriff or the chief brand inspector any information that may
assist in determining ownership of the estray;
(2) Make the estray available for examination if requested by the chief brand
inspector; and
(3) Follow the directives of the chief brand inspector regarding the estray's care
and disposal; or
b. Deliver the estray to a livestock auction market in this state or to an out-of-state
livestock auction market that receives brand inspection services under section
4.1-73-24 and notify the brand inspector that it appears to be an estray.
3. Any person failing to comply with this section is liable to the owner of the estray for
treble damages and may not claim reimbursement for any expenses otherwise allowed
under this chapter.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-03 Notification - Record of date and time
4.1-75-03. Notification - Record of date and time
A county sheriff or the chief brand inspector shall make a record of the date and time that
notification is received under section 4.1-75-02. The individual taking possession of the estray is
not entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred before the recorded date and time.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-04 Estrays - Notification of chief brand inspector
4.1-75-04. Estrays - Notification of chief brand inspector
If an individual notifies a county sheriff that the individual has taken possession of an estray,
the sheriff shall contact the chief brand inspector and relay any information regarding the estray.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-05 Claiming estrays
4.1-75-05. Claiming estrays
1. If before an estray is sold the chief brand inspector determines its owner, the individual
who took possession of the estray shall return it to its owner, provided the owner
reimburses the individual for all incurred expenses in accordance with the
reimbursement schedule developed by the North Dakota stockmen's association or in
any lesser agreed-to amount.
2. If the individual who took possession of the estray and its owner are unable to reach
an agreement regarding the return of the estray, as provided for in subsection 1, the
individual who took possession of the estray shall:
a. Deliver the estray to a livestock auction market in this state or to an out-of-state
livestock auction market that receives brand inspection services under section
4.1-73-24; and
b. Notify the brand inspector that the estray is to be sold and that reimbursement for
the individual's expenses must be paid from the proceeds of the estray's sale, in
accordance with the reimbursement schedule developed by the North Dakota
stockmen's association.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-06 Reimbursement for costs - Schedule
4.1-75-06. Reimbursement for costs - Schedule
1. Except as otherwise provided in section 4.1-75-05, the individual taking possession of
an estray in accordance with this chapter is entitled to receive reimbursement for
incurred expenses in accordance with a reimbursement schedule developed by the
North Dakota stockmen's association.
2. The amount reimbursable under this section must be deducted from the proceeds of
the estray's sale. Any amount remaining thereafter must be forwarded to the North
Dakota stockmen's association and submitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the
North Dakota stockmen's association fund.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-07 List of estrays - Publication - Proof of ownership
4.1-75-07. List of estrays - Publication - Proof of ownership
1. Each December, the North Dakota stockmen's association shall publish at least twice
in the official newspaper of each county, a list of all estrays found in the county and for
which the association received sale proceeds during the preceding twelve months.
2. The association shall maintain and make available on its website an updated list of all
estrays for which the association received sale proceeds during the preceding
seventy-two months.
3. If a person demonstrates ownership of an estray to the satisfaction of the chief brand
inspector within seventy-two months of the date on which the proceeds of its sale were
distributed to the North Dakota stockmen's association, the association shall return to
the owner the amount it received but shall retain any income earned on the amount.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-08 Possession of estray - Immunity from liability
4.1-75-08. Possession of estray - Immunity from liability
1. If an individual, without being negligent, takes possession of an estray and complies
with this chapter, that individual is not liable:
a. For any injury or damage caused by the estray while in the individual's
possession or in the event the estray escapes; or
b. For any economic loss incurred by:
(1) The owner of the estray, if later identified; or
(2) Any other person having a claim to the estray.
2. If an individual, without being negligent, attempts to take possession of an estray in
order to comply with this chapter, that individual is not liable:
a. For any injury or damage caused by the estray during the attempt to take
possession; or
b. For any economic loss incurred by:
(1) The owner of the estray, if later identified; or
(2) Any other person having a claim to the estray.
N.D. Cent. Code § 4.1-75-09 Failure to comply with chapter - Penalty
4.1-75-09. Failure to comply with chapter - Penalty
Any individual who takes possession of an estray and willfully fails to comply with this
chapter is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t04-1c75.pdfFetched: 10/16/2026