The ruling on one who finds a lost item and then it is lost from him

Question:
He says: It happened that I found a pregnant goat, and it had my uncle's brand on it. It gave birth, and I did not know whether he owned it or had sold it. So I slaughtered its kid. After a year, it was lost. I hope for your fatwa.

Answer:
If you did not ask your uncle and did not know that it was his property, and it had your uncle's brand on it, then there is no blame on you, if Allah wills, except that you should have exercised caution and not slaughtered the kid. As for now, since you have not found anyone claiming it, and it has your uncle's brand, nothing is required of you. You can ask your uncle if he is still alive, or ask his descendants and heirs whether they permit it, and whether it is among their livestock, or if they sold it to someone, or gave it to someone. You should ask and take precautions if that is possible for you. If it is not possible, then compensate them; compensate the heirs of your uncle for what you slaughtered, if he has died. As for the goat itself, if you did not neglect it and did not do anything that would cause its death, then nothing is required of you regarding it. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.