81-4-215. Liability of owners of stock for trespass. If any cattle, horses, mules, asses, hogs, sheep, llamas, alpacas, bison, or other domestic animals break into any enclosure and the fence of the enclosure is legal, as provided in 81-4-101, the owner of the animals is liable for damages to the owner or occupant of the enclosure if the owner or person in control of the animals was negligent. This section may not be construed to require a legal fence in order to maintain an action for injury done by animals running at large contrary to law. In the case of trespassing animals in a herd district, the liability and damage provisions of 81-4-307 apply.
History: En. Sec. 1119, 5th Div. Comp. Stat. 1887; re-en. Sec. 3258, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 2090, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 3378, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 3378, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 199, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 46-1409; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 166, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 417, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 431, L. 2003.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 4. Containment of Livestock
Part 2. Animals Unlawfully Running at Large
81-4-201. Animals running at large
81-4-204. Male equine animals not to run on open range
81-4-205. Male equine animals running at large as nuisance -- abatement
81-4-206. Killing animal to prevent injury not prohibited
81-4-207. Castration of animals running at large -- notice to owner -- expense and charges
81-4-208. Killing of animal running at large -- notice -- posting and service
81-4-209. Penalty for violations
81-4-210. Only purebred bulls to run at large -- limitation on time
81-4-211. Female breeding cattle, purebred bull to accompany
81-4-212. Castration of violating bulls
81-4-214. Branding animals running at large -- running irons prohibited
81-4-215. Liability of owners of stock for trespass
81-4-216. Damage to planted trees
81-4-217. Retention of trespassing stock
81-4-218. Marking land and mining claims in national forest
81-4-220. Marking -- right of action against trespassing stock