1. (a) A person on whose property an estray is found is entitled to receive from the owner of the estray the payment of a reasonable amount for maintenance and damages, if the original notice of the discovery of the estray was given to the sheriff not later than the fifth day after the date of discovery.

2. (b) The owner of the property may:

   1. (1) accept payment in an agreed amount from the owner of the estray; or
   2. (2) file a petition under Section 142.007 of this code in the justice court having jurisdiction and have the amount of the payment determined by the justice of the peace.
3. (c) If the owner of the property files a petition under Subdivision (2) of Subsection (b) of this section, the owner of the estray is entitled to remove the estray.

Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 51, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.