People who use livestock for target practice have reason to fear. Recently passed legislation gives judges “more teeth” to punish offenders.
People intentionally killing pets often make the news, but the shooting of cows, sheep, pigs and other livestock often go unnoticed by the public.
While they’re not usually considered members of a family, range and farm animals are worth hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars to the owners.
For an inexplicable reason, every year animals are found dead with bullet or arrow wounds, explained Box Elder Representative Ronda Menlove, R-Garland.
A recent case in Skull Valley cost a rancher $10,000. That offender eventually turned themselves in, but the incidents often take place in such isolated areas that crime investigation is difficult, she said.
That’s why she sponsored a bill in this last session to give harsher penalties for such crimes. The bill passed and will take effect July of this year. The penalties range from Class B misdemeanor to second degree felony depending on the cost of the animal.
After the recent incident in Tooele County, she learned of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Farmer’s Union and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food putting together a bounty to prompt investigation. That’s when she realized there needed to be more of a deterrent against the crimes, and more seriousness for local law enforcement to investigate.
“Current law doesn’t seem to be deterring it,” she said. “It happens more than people realize, that’s why we took action.”
Starting in July, the state can confiscate the weapon used, and if a vehicle was involved in the incident, the state can impound the vehicle, she said.
Above all, Menlove said she hopes this law will send a message to the public that this is wrong and has serious consequences.
Todd Bingham, vice president of public policy for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, said these types of crimes get less traction than animal cruelty or torture, but have serious economic impact on the animal owners.
The animals are often easy targets because they’re out on a range, far away from people and only get checked on periodically.
“Hopefully this bill has enough teeth and encouragement for local law enforcement to track down these individuals. Sometimes it goes days before a rancher realizes what has been done,” he said.
Utah State University Extension agent Sterling Banks, said he occasionally hears of such instances occurring in the far eastern part of Summit County on National Forest land. He’s in favor of the bill and said there needs to be more of a deterrent against people “joy riding” and destroying animals.
“The problem affects people everywhere there’s livestock,” he said.