4:20-27 - Effect of failure to maintain portion of partition fence
4:20-27. Effect of failure to maintain portion of partition fence
A person to whom a part or share of a partition fence is assigned to make or amend and maintain as provided in this chapter, who shall neglect or refuse, after due notice, to make and repair such part or share, shall be liable to make good all damages, to be ascertained according to the directions of this chapter, caused by his own or the animals of a third person which by reason of such neglect or refusal shall break in, enter into or upon his neighbor's land, over or through such fence and his animals may be impounded and held in pound until he shall pay the damages and all charges occasioned thereby as provided in this chapter.
When the animals of a third person only have trespassed upon the neighbor's land by reason of such neglect or refusal, the neighbor may sue for and recover his damages, with costs, from the person so neglecting or refusing, in an action at law in any court of competent jurisdiction.
When the animals of the neighbor who has made and maintained the part or share of the partition fence assigned to him according to the directions of this chapter, or the animals of a third person, shall trespass on the land of a person through that part of the partition fence which he has neglected or refused to make or maintain, such neighbor or a third person shall not be liable to have their animals impounded or be liable to an action to recover damages accruing thereby.