Q I notice that the sheriff’s office has been advertising “found” cattle. If the owner doesn’t claim them, what happens to them? Are they sold, as if they were bicycles or other property?
A Disposition of those cattle is governed by Kansas statute. When sheriff’s officers have to take cattle into custody, the department must notify the Brands Division Livestock Commissioner at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. That is only the beginning.
“They are held for at least 21 days and then must be sold at a public livestock market or terminal livestock market to the highest bidder for cash,” said Lyon County Undersheriff Richard Old.
Proceeds from the sale are used to cover the expenses incurred, and the balance is deposited into a special account held by the Lyon County Treasurer, he said.
“If an owner comes forward within six months and presents good evidence, sufficient to satisfy the sheriff and the Kansas Livestock Commissioner of the legitimacy of his claim, the sheriff shall direct the treasurer to disburse the remainder to the claimant,” Old said.
If the money remains unclaimed for six months, it is sent to the Livestock Commissioner to deposit in the State of Kansas’s Livestock Brand Fee Fund, according to state statute.
“The sheriff doesn’t actually get anything out of those deals,” Old said.
“It’s just another unfunded mandate that he has to take care of without compensation.”