Any corporation operating a railroad and failing to fence the same against livestock running at large where the duty to fence exists is liable to the owner of any stock killed or injured by reason of the want of such fence for the full amount of the damages sustained by the owner, unless the injury was occasioned by the grossly negligent act of the owner of the stock or the owner’s agent. To recover, the owner of the stock must prove only the loss of or injury to the owner’s property. Notice in writing that a loss or injury has occurred, accompanied by an affidavit thereof, must be served upon an officer of the corporation or upon a station or ticket agent employed by the corporation in the county where the loss or injury occurred. If the corporation fails or neglects to pay the damages within ninety days after the notice is served on it, the owner is entitled to recover from the corporation double the amount of damages actually sustained by the owner, and a reasonable attorney’s fee when it is adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction that the claimant is entitled to the amount claimed.