By legal definition found in Georgia Laws 1801: Estrays are horse, mare, colt, filly, ass, mule, neat cattle, sheep, goat or hog, that may be found strayìng away from their owners. If another citizen finds the animal(s) they may turn said estray(s) into county government, in this case Justice of the Peace, to be impounded until said owner claims the animal(s). If, within 10 days, the owner does not retrieve the estray(s), it should be sold at auction to pay for upkeep, damage caused by said animal, etc.

Clarke County Estray Records may be found on microfilm in the Georgia Archives Reference Room.