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Utah Code Title 76. Utah Criminal Code § 76-9-308. Harassment of livestock

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Livestock” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Subsection 76-9-301(1).

(b) “Unmanned aircraft system” means the same as that term is defined in Section 72-10-102.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person is guilty of harassment of livestock if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chases, with the intent of causing distress, or harms livestock through the use of:

(a) a motorized vehicle or all-terrain vehicle;

(b) a dog; or

(c) an unmanned aircraft system.

(3) A person is not guilty of harassment of livestock if:

(a) the person is:

(i) the owner of the livestock;

(ii) an employee or agent of the owner, or otherwise acting under the owner's general direction or with the owner's permission;

(iii) acting in an emergency situation to prevent damage to the livestock or property; or

(iv) an employee or agent of the state or a political subdivision and acting in the employee or agent's official capacity; or

(b) the action is in line with generally accepted animal husbandry practices.

(4) A person who violates this section is guilty of:

(a) a class B misdemeanor if the violation is a first offense and:

(i) no livestock is seriously injured or killed as a result of the person's actions; or

(ii) the person's actions cause the livestock to be displaced onto property where the livestock is not legally entitled to be; and

(b) a class A misdemeanor if:

(i) the person has previously been convicted of harassment of livestock under this section;

(ii) livestock is seriously injured or killed as a result of the person's actions; or

(iii) livestock or property suffered damage in excess of $1,000, including money spent in recovering the livestock, as a result of the person's actions.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Utah Code Title 76. Utah Criminal Code § 76-9-308. Harassment of livestock - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-76-utah-criminal-code/ut-code-sect-76-9-308/

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