N.Y. Town Law § 320: Duties of fence viewers as to strays

§ 320. Duties of fence viewers as to strays. The fence viewers shall

view the premises where damages are claimed to have been done, and they

may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses and take any competent evidence

of the facts and circumstances necessary to enable them to determine the

matter submitted to them, and shall determine any dispute that may arise

touching the sufficiency of any division fence around the premises where

such damage was done, and from where and how the beasts came upon the

lands of the person claiming such damages and charges; if they determine

that for any cause the claimants' lien is not enforceable, they shall so

certify, and the owner of the beasts shall thereupon be entitled to them

without paying any charges thereon.