Unknown owner

If he who finds any lost or stray animal, does not know whose it is, shall without delay present the same to the Administrative Authority of the parish where it is found. § 1 - The Administrative Authority shall direct the quality, characteristics, state and apparent value of the animal and the place where it was found, and shall have the same kept in the possession of the person who found it or any other, if the former declines; § 2 - If the animal found is foul, the said authority shall have the fact announced in the first consecutive Sunday at the door of the parish Church while the convening mass is coming; and if within fifteen days the owner does not turn up, the animal shall belong to the person who has found it; § 3 - If the animal found is a sheep, goat, pig or any other four footed animal of the smaller size, and even if of other types, if the value does not increase 6000 reis, the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be observed, with the difference that the time limit allotted shall be thirty days, and the announcement shall be made every eight days; § 4 - If the animal found is big cattle or quadruped of big size the value of which exceeds 6000 reis, the provisions of paragraphs 1 & 2 shall be observed with the following indications:- i) Besides the announcements, the finder shall have a notice inserted in the gazette of respective High Court; ii) The animal shall come to belong to the finder after three months; § 5 - The time limits shall be counted from the day of the first announcement; § 6 - The prescribed procedure shall always be gratuitous, except the announcement, which will be paid for by the owner or finder, if the former does not appear at the appropriate time. § 7 - If the person in whose possession the animal is kept does not have the means to support the same, or he is under the risk of suffering decline in health, he may apply that the same be auctioned and the amount deposited; § 8 - In such cases the provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to the amount deposited;