Massachusetts Livestock at Large: Field Driver Impounding Law Statewide

Under M.G.L. c.49, §24, every field driver must seize loose horses, mules, asses, neat cattle, sheep, goats, or swine found going at large in the public ways or on common and unimproved land and not under the care of a keeper. Section 25 requires those beasts to be forthwith impounded in the town pound and furnished with suitable food and water while held. The owner reclaims the animals only after paying the field driver's fees and the cost of keeping. The statute covers four-legged livestock; poultry and backyard chickens are not listed here and are governed by local ordinance and zoning, not c.49.

An owner who lets livestock run at large forfeits control until fees and impounding costs are paid; the field driver may hold, and ultimately sell, distrained beasts to satisfy charges.