(a)
(1) Every person taking up any stray animal shall immediately, if the animal is marked or branded, proceed to the office of the clerk of the county court of the county in which the animal is taken up and shall cause the clerk to examine the State Brand Book.
(2) If it is found that the mark or brand upon the animal taken up is entered upon the book, the taker-up or impounder of the animal shall at once notify the owner of the mark or brand, of his or her having taken up the animal, giving an exact description thereof.
(3)
(A) The taker-up or impounder of an animal shall receive a reasonable compensation for his or her trouble.
(B) If the animal is taken from the range where the stock of the owner is accustomed to be kept, the taker-up or impounder shall receive nothing.
(b) No person shall use, work, or exercise any acts of ownership over any animal taken up by him or her until he or she shall have given notice thereof to the county court clerk. However, he or she may ride the animal to the county court for the purpose of giving the notice to the clerk.