Texas Agriculture Code - AGRIC § 167.107. Sale of Animals Treated or Seized by Peace Officer

(a) A peace officer who gathers and treats or who seizes and impounds or disposes of animals under Section 167.103, 167.104, or 167.105 is entitled to retain and sell the animals for the purpose of securing payment for the expenses of handling, including the expenses of holding, feeding, and watering the animals.

(b) Not later than the 60th day after the day on which animals are treated or seized, the peace officer may sell at public sale to the highest bidder a number of the animals sufficient to cover the secured expenses.  The officer shall conduct the sale at the courthouse door of the county in which the animals are located and shall post notice of the sale at that courthouse door at least five days before the day of the sale.

(c) If any proceeds of the sale remain after deducting the amount to which the peace officer is entitled, the peace officer shall pay those proceeds to the county treasurer subject to the order of the owner of the animals.

(d) A peace officer who treats animals under Section 167.103 is entitled to act under this section to secure the expenses of each day on which the animals are treated.