The state of Utah has recently seen an uptick in livestock shooting cases. Since April of 2020 there has been 17 head of livestock killed, with the majority of those cases occurring in central Utah.

Lean Hunting with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food stated, with all that has happened this year that “these producers don’t need to be dealing with the idea that their livestock aren’t safe when they’re in a pasture behind their home.”

Currently there is a $20,000 reward for information regarding these shootings. Hunting stated that the reward had to be enough incentive to convince someone to come forward with information, even if it’s their friend.

For some producers, their livestock is their source of income and for others there is a deeper connection with their animals. Speaking about one case in particular Hunting said, “that horse out in Tooele County was a member of the family.”

When asked how people could help with the issue, she stated that this needs to be a conversation that is brought up more frequently. Then the community is looking out, then there will be eyes and ears everywhere.

If you have information regarding any of these livestock shootings you are encouraged to contact either you local sheriff, the Department of Agriculture and Food, or a local brand inspector.

If you would like more information on these shootings or individual cases, more can be found on the Department of Agriculture and Food Facebook page.

Hunting also shared the warning that livestock deaths and shootings will be prosecuted criminally and will not be condoned in this state.