§6-9-81. Indemnity bond.

(a) When a reasonable doubt exists whether the personal property levied on belongs to the defendant or whether personal property alleged to be his is subject to levy and sale, the sheriff may require of the plaintiff, his agent or attorney a bond of indemnity, and if it is not given within 10 days thereafter, he may restore the property to the defendant, if levied on, or decline to levy, if one has not been made; but he may be required to levy and sell at any time thereafter on being indemnified.

(b) If any party having the prior lien refuses to give such indemnity on demand of the sheriff, the party having the next lien in order may give it and have the property sold for his benefit.

(Code 1852, §§2444, 2445; Code 1867, §§2858, 2859; Code 1876, §§3196, 3197; Code 1886, §§2905, 2906; Code 1896, §§1903, 1904; Code 1907, §§4107, 4108; Code 1923, §§7822, 7823; Code 1940, T. 7, §§533, 534.)