A bill advancing in the Utah Legislature has Uintah Basin support behind it. HB 166 “addresses the treatment and theft of livestock, including livestock guardian dogs and livestock infrastructure.” This means that if the bill is passed, a person who shoots or steals a farmers’ livestock could lose their hunting privileges among other penalties. The bill passed in the House with a 67 – 4 vote. HB 166 also defines herding dogs as livestock and stiffens penalties for those that take herding dogs whether knowingly stealing or someone thinking they are rescuing the dog off the mountain. There has been local support for the bill, including Representative Scott Chew who knows personally as a life-long rancher the hardship caused by those who shoot and steal livestock. The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee is also supporting HB 166 as their show of support for Uintah Basin livestock producers.
