Montana Title 81. Livestock § 81-8-263. Duties when ownership in doubt

An operator of a livestock market shall, when notified by the authorized brand inspector that there is a question as to whether any designated livestock sold through the market are lawfully owned by the consignor of the livestock, hold the proceeds received from the sale of the livestock for a reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days, to permit the consignor to establish ownership. If at the expiration of that time the consignor fails to establish lawful ownership of the livestock, the proceeds must be transmitted by the operator of the livestock market to the department. The department may dispose of the proceeds in accordance with Title 81, chapter 4, part 6, relating to the distribution of estray money, and the department's receipt for the proceeds relieves the operator of the livestock market from further responsibility for the proceeds. Proof of ownership and account of all sales of livestock must be transmitted by the authorized brand inspector to the department.