Martin Anderson, of Grantsville, said he found the 10 Charlet cross beef cattle "strewn around" a popular climbing rock Friday in fields where his family's herd has grazed for 50 years.

Six of the cows and the calf were shot dead; the three remaining cows were euthanized, Anderson said.

"The calves were all laying by their dead mothers - that's a sad sight to see," Anderson said.

The animals had bullet wounds in their heads, torsos, shoulders and hips, and many were shot multiple times, he said. When Anderson found them Friday evening, their injuries appeared to be a day or so old, he said.

The financial loss is $10,000 to $15,000, he estimated.

The Humane Society of Utah is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the shooter.

"We're outraged someone would do this," said Humane Society director Gene Baierschmidt.

The Tooele County Sheriff's Office has taken a report on the matter and a detective and an animal control officer have been assigned to the case, said sheriff's spokesman Wade Mathews. No arrests have been made.

"It's unfortunate that this type of thing happens here," said Chief Deputy Duke North. "Much of Tooele County is very remote and is used for legitimate recreational purposes. However, some people feel like they can come here and do what they want."

North described the shooting as a felony offense; however, agricultural animals are exempted in a felony animal torture law the state Legislature passed this year, Baierschmidt noted.

Investigators have no suspects. Anyone with information may call 435-843-4705.