Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: FDIC
ESTRAY: An estray is a lost animal that has no owner. It could be a pet that has wandered away or a farm animal that has escaped from its enclosure. In the past, the law said that an estray belonged to the king or the lord of the land, but now it belongs to the state until the true owner can prove that it belongs to them. If an animal is allowed to roam free by its owner, it cannot be considered an estray.
Definition: An estray is a valuable domesticated animal that is found wandering without an owner. In the past, it belonged to the Crown or the lord of the manor, but now it is usually held in trust by the state for the true owner to reclaim by proving ownership.
For an animal to be considered an estray, it must have escaped from its owner and be wandering around without any supervision. However, if the animal is on the range where it was raised and allowed to run free by its owner, it cannot be considered an estray. Additionally, if the owner is known to the person who finds the animal, it cannot be considered an estray.
Examples:
The examples illustrate that an animal must be domesticated and have escaped from its owner to be considered an estray. It also shows that an animal cannot be an estray if it is allowed to roam free by its owner or if the owner is known to the person who finds the animal.