MS HB6

Livestock owners are civilly liable for damages caused by their animals trespassing onto another person's property, including personal injury or property damage.

Landowners must attempt to contact the livestock owner within 48 hours of trespass; if unsuccessful, they must notify the county sheriff.

Landowners may contain trespassing livestock and recover containment costs through negotiation or civil action; fair containment costs are determined by amounts allowed for sheriff containment of similar livestock.

If livestock ownership cannot be determined or animals are not recovered within 10 days of owner notification, the sheriff takes possession and may sell the livestock at public auction, with proceeds distributed first to sale costs, then containment costs, then to the livestock owner if known.

First offense of negligently permitting livestock to trespass and cause injury or damage results in a warning plus civil liability; second offense within 6 months is a misdemeanor with fines of $100-$500 and/or 10-30 days jail time; third or subsequent offense within 6 months carries fines of $500-$1,000 and/or 30-100 days jail time.