Missouri § 271.280 - Recovery of damages by owner, when.
Full text of Missouri Revised Statutes of Missouri § 271.280 — Recovery of damages by owner, when., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 271.280. Recovery of damages by owner, when.
If any person sell, swap, take out of this state or willfully or negligently injure or abuse any stray before the legal title thereto shall have vested in him, then the owner, if he shall appear and prove such stray within one year from the date of taking up, may recover double the amount of all damages, with costs; but if in such case the owner do not appear and prove the same within the time limited, the taker-up shall be held absolutely liable for the contingent amount with which he stands charged on the stray fund record book, whether he produce said stray to the collector or not; provided, that if any person, after having posted any stray or strays, desire to remove from the county, he may, with the consent of the associate circuit judge or the successor of the associate circuit judge before whom the same was or were posted, turn said stray or strays over to any responsible householder of the vicinity in which the original taker-up resided, who shall take such stray or strays subject to all the provisions of this chapter, the same as the original taker-up; and said associate circuit judge shall make an entry thereof in his stray book, and certify the same to the county clerk, which certificate shall be by him recorded in the stray record of his office, and all costs incurred by the provisions of this section shall be paid by the original taker-up; but such costs shall in no case become a charge against the animal or animals taken up.
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(RSMo 1939 § 14525)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 12851; 1919 § 4341; 1909 § 842
---- end of effective 28 Aug 1939 ----
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Source: official Missouri text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri § 271.280
What does Revised Statutes of Missouri § 271.280 cover?
Section 271.280 ("Recovery of damages by owner, when.") is part of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, the codified statutory law of Missouri. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Missouri § 271.280?
A common citation format is "Revised Statutes of Missouri § 271.280" (Missouri). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Missouri law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Missouri official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Missouri attorney.
How does Missouri § 271.280 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Missouri can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.