LOST GOODS AND STRAY BEASTS

M.G.L. pt. Part I, tit. Title XX, ch. c. 134

in effect

M.G.L. c. 134, § 1 Report of lost money or goods by finder

c. 134, § 1. Report of lost money or goods by finder Section 1. Any person who finds lost money or goods of the value of three dollars or more, the owner of which is unknown, shall within two days report the finding thereof to the officer in charge at a police station in the town where said property was found, or, if there is no police station, post notice thereof in two public places therein, or, instead of such report or posting, cause notice thereof to be advertised in a newspaper published therein.

M.G.L. c. 134, § 2 Stray beasts; report of finding

c. 134, § 2. Stray beasts; report of finding Section 2. Except as otherwise provided in chapter one hundred and thirty-three, any person who takes up a stray beast shall report, post or advertise the finding thereof, in the manner provided in the preceding section, giving a description of the color and the natural and artificial marks of such beast; otherwise he shall not be entitled to compensation for any expenses which he may incur relative thereto.

M.G.L. c. 134, § 3 Restitution of property

c. 134, § 3. Restitution of property Section 3. If, within three months after the finding of stray beasts, or within one year after the finding of lost money or goods, the owner appears and, except as otherwise provided in section two, pays all reasonable expenses incurred by the finder in keeping such goods or beasts and in complying with this chapter, he shall have restitution of the money, goods or beasts.

M.G.L. c. 134, § 4 Rights of finder if no owner appears

c. 134, § 4. Rights of finder if no owner appears Section 4. If the owner of lost money or goods does not appear within one year after the finding thereof, they shall enure to the finder, provided he has complied with section one.

M.G.L. c. 134, § 5 Auction of stray beasts; notice

c. 134, § 5. Auction of stray beasts; notice Section 5. If the owner of stray beasts does not appear within three months after the finding thereof and prove title thereto, the finder may sell them by public auction, first giving notice of such sale, at least four days before the time of sale, in two public places in the town where the beasts were found.

M.G.L. c. 134, § 6 Rights of owner and finder of stray beasts

c. 134, § 6. Rights of owner and finder of stray beasts Section 6. If the owner of stray beasts appears within one year after the finding thereof, and proves title thereto, he shall, if they have not been sold under the preceding section, have restitution thereof upon payment, except as provided in section two, of all reasonable expenses incurred by the finder in keeping such beasts and in complying with this chapter; but if they have been sold he shall be entitled to receive the proceeds of the sale after deducting the expenses aforesaid. If no such owner appears within said year the beasts, or the proceeds, shall enure to the finder, provided he has complied with this chapter.

M.G.L. c. 134, § 7 Taking away stray beasts without paying lawful charges

c. 134, § 7. Taking away stray beasts without paying lawful charges Section 7. Any person who takes away a beast taken up as a stray, without paying all lawful charges in relation thereto, shall forfeit to the finder double the amount of such charges, but not more than the value of the beast at the time of such taking away.

Source: Massachusetts General Court (malegislature.gov)URL: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter134Fetched: 10/20/2026