Every person owning a part of a division fence shall keep the same in good repair according to the requirements of this chapter, and when said division fence is a hedge, shall properly trim the same at least once a year, to a height not greater than four and one-half feet, and to a breadth not greater than three feet, and for the purpose of trimming said hedge as aforesaid, he shall have the right to enter upon any land lying adjacent thereto. Either party owning land adjoining a division fence or hedge may, upon the failure of any of the other parties, have all that part of such division fence belonging to such other parties repaired, upon the failure of such other party to do so, such repairing or trimming to be at the cost of the party so failing to repair or trim his part of such fence; and the party so repairing or trimming such hedge shall always throw the brush trimmed off on his own side of such hedge; and upon neglect or refusal to keep said fence in repair, or to keep said hedge trimmed as provided in this section, such owner shall be liable in double damages to the party injured thereby, and such injured party may enforce the collection of such damages by restraining any cattle or other stock that may break in or come upon his enclosure by reason of the failure of such other party to keep his portion of such division fence in repair and proceeding therewith under the provisions of sections 270.010 to 270.200, RSMo.

(RSMo 1939 § 14579)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 12916; 1919 § 5521; 1909 § 6464