Section 14-387-706 - Damages and compensation for taking up strays(a) If the owner or keeper of the stock restrained and the taker-up or the person damaged by the stock cannot agree on the amount of damage, then either party may apply to any justice of the peace where the taker-up resides for the appointment of three (3) appraisers to assess the damages done, or what would be a reasonable compensation for the taking up, feeding, and keeping of the stock. Thereupon, it shall be the duty of the justice to issue notice to three (3) disinterested householders of the township to appear at such place in the township as he may designate and assess the damages or compensation as required in this section.(b)(1) The appraisers, or any two (2) of them so notified, shall take an oath that they will fairly and impartially assess the damages or compensation, or both, in the controversy, and they shall make out, sign, and deliver to each party a written statement of their findings as to damages and compensation.(2)(A) Upon the payment of the damages and compensation and the expenses of the controversy, the owner of the stock shall be entitled to take them away.(B)(i) If refused, the owner may maintain an action for them as in case of wrongful detention of property.(ii) In any such action, if it be shown to the satisfaction of the court trying the cause that the owner or keeper of the stock had, previous to the appointment of appraisers, tendered to the taker-up of the stock in legal currency of the United States the amount of damages awarded by the appraisers and that the taker-up of the stock refused to accept the tender so made, then the taker-up of the stock shall pay all costs incident to the appraisement made by the appraisers as prescribed in this section.(c)(1) The justice of the peace, the appraisers, and the witnesses, if any, shall be allowed the same fees as are allowed by law for similar services.(2) The fees shall be paid by the owner of the stock before he is entitled to take the stock away.Acts 1915, No. 156, §§ 5-7; 1919, No. 258, § 1; C. & M. Dig., §§ 325-327; Pope's Dig., §§ 340-342; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 78-1405 -- 78-1407.