N.Y. Town Law § 320

§ 320. Duties of fence viewers as to strays. The fence viewers shall\nview the premises where damages are claimed to have been done, and they\nmay issue subpoenas, examine witnesses and take any competent evidence\nof the facts and circumstances necessary to enable them to determine the\nmatter submitted to them, and shall determine any dispute that may arise\ntouching the sufficiency of any division fence around the premises where\nsuch damage was done, and from where and how the beasts came upon the\nlands of the person claiming such damages and charges; if they determine\nthat for any cause the claimants' lien is not enforceable, they shall so\ncertify, and the owner of the beasts shall thereupon be entitled to them\nwithout paying any charges thereon.\n