Number of livestock stolen or killed on the rise, UDAF says
Aug 2, 2022, 9:00 PM
Steers belonging to Bruce Zollinger, owner of Grassy Cow food truck, are pictured in Heber City on Friday, April 29, 2022.
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) says the number of stolen or injured livestock are on the rise in the state.
UDAF says this is adding to a trend that has been increasing over the course of the last few years.
As of July, the UDAF says it has received missing reports for 77 cattle, five horses/mules and one sheep/goat. Of those 83 animals, seven have been located.
Additionally, the department has also received seven reports of suspicious farm animal deaths. Those cases are currently under investigation.
“Our department has been investigating a substantial amount of cases of missing livestock and suspicious livestock deaths this year,” said Leann Hunting, UDAF animal industry director in a news release. “While we don’t know the exact cause of the increase in cases, it is very concerning. And we want to raise awareness of these happenings.”
The UDAF says historical trends show the increase of these cases are expected into the fall months.
UDAF is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of any individual, who has been involved in the harming, theft or killing of livestock.
If you have information on illegal activity of farm animals, you are asked to report it by calling the UDAF livestock investigator at 435-419-0021.
Read more:
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- Drought causes Utah farmers, ranchers to struggle watering crops and feeding livestock
