Sec. 146.024.  ABANDONED ANIMALS.  (a)  In order to satisfy unpaid fees and debts to the state and private suppliers, the department may sell at public auction an animal that the owner leaves in the processing facilities for more than 30 days.
(b)  The proceeds of a sale under this section shall be used first to satisfy the fees owed to the department and then to satisfy the fees and debts owed to private suppliers.  Any balance of the proceeds shall be paid to the owner of the animal, as determined by the manifest or shipping order accompanying the animal.
Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1368, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.