29-404. Recovery by civil action of damages assessed; attorney's fee. If any party against whom damages shall be assessed by the fence viewers under the provisions of this act shall fail or refuse to pay the damages so assessed, after the same shall have been demanded, and after receiving a copy of such assessment made by the fence viewers as aforesaid, the same may be recovered by civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction; and in all such actions the assessments of the fence viewers, subscribed by them, shall be received in all courts as prima facie evidence of the amount of damages actually sustained by the party in whose favor given and in all such actions the court shall fix and allow to the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee.

History: G.S. 1868, ch. 40, § 29; R.S. 1923, 29-404; L. 1949, ch. 270, § 7; July 1.