ORS 607.321: Investigation by department upon receipt of notice; procedure if department determines owner.

(1) The State Department of Agriculture, upon receiving a notice as described in ORS 607.313, shall attempt to determine the owner of the estray animal from the recorded brand, marks, other identifying characteristics and other relevant information tending to establish ownership.

      (2) A record of the findings of the department supporting a determination of ownership shall be made and retained by the department for three years.

      (3) The department shall have 20 days after receiving a notice described in ORS 607.313 to determine the owner of an estray animal. If the department determines the owner of the animal within 20 days, the department shall send written notice to the owner and the person taking up the animal, at their last-known addresses. The notice shall contain the matters described in ORS 607.328 (2)(b). If the owner does not appear and claim the animal prior to sale, in accordance with ORS 607.332, the sale shall be carried out as provided in ORS 607.328.