Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c6.s1.28

c6.s1.28

There were also a few rules applying to losses of cattle by theft or otherwise. If any animal were stolen, or killed by snakes, etc., or died through old age or disease, the herdsmen had to report it forthwith to the superintendent of cows; otherwise, they had to pay as penalty the price (रूपमूल्य) of the animal lost.³ If an animal belonging to the flocks under गोऽध्यक्षः were killed or stolen, the crime was visited with capital punishment; but if it were replaced by another, only a fine was inflicted. Rewards were also given to those who recovered the stolen cattle from thieves.¹