Text of the provision
Art. 716. The owner of a swarm of bees shall have a right to pursue them to another's land, indemnifying the possessor of the latter for the damage. If the owner has not pursued the swarm, or ceases to do so within two consecutive days, the possessor of the land may occupy or retain the same. The owner of domesticated animals may also claim them within twenty days to be counted from their occupation by another person. This period having expired, they shall pertain to him who has caught and kept them.
(612a)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
The owner of a swarm of bees may pursue it onto another's land, paying for any damage; if he does not pursue it, or stops for two consecutive days, the landowner may keep the swarm. The owner of domesticated animals may reclaim them within twenty days of their being taken by another, after which they belong to whoever caught and kept them.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
- Article 715 — Hunting And Fishing Rights.
- Article 718 — Finder Of Treasure On Another's Land.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.