H.B. 83

1

IMPOUNDED LIVESTOCK - SALE BY
2 COUNTY
3 2002 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Thomas V. Hatch
6 This act modifies the Agricultural Code to amend the time period within which certain
7 trespassing animals must be claimed prior to the sale of that animal and to provide for the
8 possession, sale, and disposition of impounded livestock by the county.
9 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
10 AMENDS:
11 4-25-8, as last amended by Chapter 139, Laws of Utah 1988
12 ENACTS:
13 4-25-14, Utah Code Annotated 1953
14 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
15 Section 1. Section 4-25-8 is amended to read:
16 4-25-8. Owner liable for trespass of animals -- Exception -- Intervention by county
17 representative.
18 (1) The owner of any neat cattle, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, or swine that trespasses
19 upon the premises of another person, except in cases where the premises are not enclosed by a
20 lawful fence in a county or municipality which has adopted a fence ordinance, is liable in a civil
21 action to the owner or occupant of the premises for any damage inflicted by the trespass.
22 (2) A county representative may intervene to remove the animal and the county is entitled
23 to fair compensation for costs incurred. If the animal is not claimed within [one week] ten days
24 after written notification is sent to its owner, a county representative may sell the animal to cover
25 costs incurred.
26 Section 2. Section 4-25-14 is enacted to read:
27 4-25-14. Impounded livestock -- Determination and location of owner -- Sale --

28 Disposition of proceeds -- Notice -- Title of purchaser -- Immunity from liability.
29 (1) As used in this section, "impounded livestock" means cattle, calves, horses, mules,
30 sheep, goats, hogs, or domesticated elk seized and retained in legal custody.
31 (2) (a) Each county may:
32 (i) take physical possession of impounded livestock seized and retained within its
33 boundaries; and
34 (ii) attempt to determine the name and location of the impounded livestock's owner.
35 (b) The department shall assist a county who requests help in locating the name and
36 location of the owner or other person responsible for the impounded livestock.
37 (c) If ownership of the impounded livestock cannot be determined, or, if having
38 determined ownership, neither the county nor the department is able to locate the owner within a
39 reasonable period of time, the impounded livestock, notwithstanding Title 67, Chapter 4a,
40 Unclaimed Property Act, shall be sold at a livestock or other appropriate market, and the proceeds
41 of the sale paid, after the deduction of feed, transportation, and market costs, to the county
42 conducting the sale of the impounded livestock.
43 (3) Notice of the intended sale of the impounded livestock must be published:
44 (a) at least ten days prior to the date of sale; and
45 (b) in a publication with general circulation within the county where the impounded
46 livestock was taken into custody.
47 (4) The purchaser of impounded livestock sold under this section shall receive title to the
48 impounded livestock free and clear of all claims of the owner or any person claiming title through
49 the owner.
50 (5) If the county complies with the provisions of this section, it is immune from liability
51 for the sale of impounded livestock sold at a livestock or other appropriate market.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-27-01 1:20 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel