Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214 — Harassment of livestock.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 2: Cruelty to Animal Offenses, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Harassment of livestock

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1)(a) As used in this section: (1)(a)(i) "Livestock" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-13-202. (1)(a)(ii) "Unmanned aircraft system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 72-10-102. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-13-101, and 76-13-201 apply to this section. (2) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an actor commits harassment of livestock if the actor intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chases, with the intent of causing distress, or harms livestock through the use of: (2)(a) a motorized vehicle or all-terrain vehicle; (2)(b) a dog; or (2)(c) an unmanned aircraft system. (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor if: (3)(a)(i) no livestock is seriously injured or killed as a result of the actor's actions; or (3)(a)(ii) the actor's actions cause the livestock to be displaced onto property where the livestock is not legally entitled to be. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class A misdemeanor if: (3)(b)(i) the offense is the actor's second or subsequent offense; (3)(b)(ii) livestock is seriously injured or killed as a result of the actor's actions; or (3)(b)(iii) livestock or property suffered damage in excess of $1,000, including money spent in recovering the livestock, as a result of the actor's actions. (4) An actor does not commit a violation of Subsection (2) if: (4)(a) the actor is: (4)(a)(i) the owner of the livestock; (4)(a)(ii) an employee or agent of the owner, or otherwise acting under the owner's general direction or with the owner's permission; (4)(a)(iii) acting in an emergency situation to prevent damage to the livestock or property; or (4)(a)(iv) an employee or agent of the state or a political subdivision and acting in the employee or agent's official capacity; or (4)(b) the action is in line with generally accepted animal husbandry practices.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is harassment of livestock a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: harassment of livestock ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214.

Harassment of livestock — no serious injury/death or livestock displaced onto property: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214(3)(a)) · Harassment of livestock — repeat offense, serious injury/death, or damage over $1,000: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214(3)(b))

Which Utah statute covers harassment of livestock?

Harassment of livestock is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-214 (Harassment of livestock).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.