The dead cows, all pregnant at the time of the slaying, were discovered on Dec. 29 by a neighbor who was putting up a fence on adjacent property near Mile Marker 32 of State Road 36 north of Vernon. The neighbor noticed the cows lying down and walked over to check on them, according to Tooele County sheriff's Detective Ron Johnson. The cows appeared to be shot in the head and neck and were fanned out across the range about 200 yards from each other, he said.

The cattle's owner told police the cows were worth about $1,500 each and was "quite upset" with their killing, the detective said.

"He definitely wants to find out who did it. He was pretty upset that somebody would just do that," said Johnson.

Investigators believe the cows may have been dead for as many as three days before they were discovered. The owner told police there had been a lock on the gate to the property.

The lock was later found about 25 feet from the gate and appeared to have been shot with a high powered weapon, Johnson said.

Shell casings were found near one of the animals, which were about 500 yards from the entrance to the property, and also at a location near the gate, Johnson said.

Detectives believe that whoever is responsible for the crime does not live in Tooele County.

"This happens a lot out in the county," Johnson said. "It's not just cattle, people come out and destroy a lot of our property."

Those with information on the shootings can contact Johnson at 435-843-4705.

mwestley@sltrib.com