Unlawful Acts and Penalties

Utah Code tit. 4, ch. 4-24, pt. 4-24-P5

in effect

Utah Code § 4-24-501 Utah Livestock Brand and Anti-Theft Account created -- Deposit of fees -- Purpose of expenditures.

4-24-501. Utah Livestock Brand and Anti-Theft Account created -- Deposit of fees -- Purpose of expenditures. (1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the Utah Livestock Brand and Anti-Theft Account. (2) The following money shall be deposited into the Utah Livestock Brand and Anti-Theft Account: (a) money received by the department under any provision of this chapter; and (b) money received by the department under any provision of Title 4, Chapter 39, Domesticated Elk Act. (3) Money in the Utah Livestock Brand and Anti-Theft Account shall be used for the administration of this chapter and of Title 4, Chapter 39, Domesticated Elk Act. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 345, 2017 General Session

Utah Code § 4-24-502 Unlawful acts specified -- Allegation concerning evidence of ownership relative to hides.

4-24-502. Unlawful acts specified -- Allegation concerning evidence of ownership relative to hides. (1) It is unlawful for a person to: (a) permit cattle, calves, horses, mules, or sheep, except unweaned calves or colts, that are not branded in accordance with this chapter, to forage upon an open range in this state or outside an enclosure; (b) brand livestock with a brand that is not a matter of record on the central Brand Registry; (c) obliterate, change, or remove a recorded brand; (d) destroy, mutilate, or conceal a hide with intent to, or for the purpose of, removing evidence of ownership of the hide, or ownership of the animal from which the hide was removed; (e) hold or ship an estray or livestock owned by another without notifying the owner, a brand inspector, or law enforcement; or (f) offer for sale an estray or the livestock owned by another. (2) In a prosecution for violation of this section: (a) the state does not need to allege the ownership of the hide or the animal or carcass from which the hide was removed; and (b) the complaint or information is sufficient if the complaint or information alleges that ownership is unknown and that the hide is not the property of the defendant. Amended by Chapter 295, 2021 General Session

Utah Code § 4-24-503 Use of vehicle to transport stolen livestock prohibited -- Vehicle subject to seizure and sale -- Procedure for sale -- Defense.

4-24-503. Use of vehicle to transport stolen livestock prohibited -- Vehicle subject to seizure and sale -- Procedure for sale -- Defense. (1) (a) No person shall use any vehicle for the transportation of stolen livestock or carcasses. (b) A vehicle used in transporting stolen livestock or carcasses is subject to seizure and public sale by the sheriff of the county where the vehicle is found, after written notice of the proposed sale is served upon the person in whose custody the vehicle is found. (2) A person who receives the notice described in Subsection (1)(b) has 10 days after service of the notice of proposed sale to respond to the notice, in which event no sale shall be conducted until after the issue of ownership or any other issues are litigated in a court of competent jurisdiction. (3) A stolen vehicle used for unlawful transportation is not subject to seizure and sale if the owner of the vehicle is not acting in concert with the thief. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 345, 2017 General Session

Utah Code § 4-24-504 Enforcement -- Brand inspector's powers delineated.

4-24-504. Enforcement -- Brand inspector's powers delineated. (1) A brand inspector has the authority of a special function officer for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and the brand inspector may, if proper, stop a vehicle carrying livestock or livestock carcasses for the purpose of examining brands, certificates of brand inspection, and bills of lading or bills of sale relating to the livestock in transit. (2) (a) A brand inspector may enter premises where livestock are kept or maintained for the purpose of examining brands. (b) If admittance is refused, the department may proceed immediately to obtain an ex parte warrant from the nearest court of competent jurisdiction to allow entry upon the premises for the purpose of examining brands or other evidence of ownership. Amended by Chapter 295, 2021 General Session

Utah Code § 4-24-505 Commissioner authorized to cooperate with local governments, other states, or federal government in enforcement.

4-24-505. Commissioner authorized to cooperate with local governments, other states, or federal government in enforcement. The commissioner is empowered with authority, if necessary, to cooperate or enter into cooperative agreements with authorities in any city, town, or county within the state, or with federal authorities, or with authorities in another state for the purpose of securing assistance in the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 345, 2017 General Session

Utah Code § 4-24-506 Penalties.

4-24-506. Penalties. A person who violates a provision of this chapter: (1) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor; and (2) may be subject to administrative fines, payable to the department, of up to $1,000 per violation. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 345, 2017 General Session

Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title4/Chapter24/4-24-P5.html?v=C4-24-P5_2017050920170701Fetched: 10/26/2026