Pound-breach Act 1843 F1(repealed 5.11.1993)

In case any person or persons shall release or attempt to release any horse, ass, sheep, swine, or other beast or cattle, which shall be lawfully seized for the purpose of being impounded, in consequence of having been found wandering, straying, or lying or being depastured on any inclosed land without the consent of the owner or occupier of such inclosed land, from the pound or place where the same shall be so impounded, or on the way to or from any such pound or place, or shall pull down, damage, or destroy the same pound or place, or any part thereof, or any lock or bolt belonging thereto or with which the same shall be fastened, every person so offending shall, upon conviction thereof, before any two of her Majesty’s justices of the peace, forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding F2£20, together with reasonable charges and expenses, or in default thereof be committed by such justices, by warrant under their hands and seals, to the house of correction of the county wherein the said offence shall have been committed, . . . F3F4and it shall be lawful for the said justices to award the whole or any portion of such penalty to the person or persons on whose behalf such cattle were distrained.

Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall authorize any justices of the peace to hear and determine any case of pound-breach or rescue in which any question shall arise as to the title to any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, or any interest therein or accruing therefrom, or as to any bankruptcy . . . F5, or any execution under the process of any court of justice, or as to the obligation of maintaining, reparing, or keeping in repair any wall, hedge, paling, ditch, sunk fence, or fence whatsoever.