This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Legislators on Thursday acted to specifically make it illegal to kill someone else's livestock.
Killing or hurting livestock is already illegal under other criminal statutes, such as property damage, vandalism or animal cruelty. But sponsor Sen. Ralph Okerlund, R-Monroe, said he wanted a bill specifically deterring the killing of ranchers' cattle, sheep, horses or other revenue-producing animals.
The charges can range from low-grade misdemeanors to felonies punishable by five years in prison depending on the cost of the livestock. The legislation, HB240, still needs the governor's signature.
