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(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Livestock" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Subsection 76-9-301(1).
(b) "Unmanned aircraft system" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Subsection 72-14-102(4).
(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person is guilty of harassment of livestock if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chases, with the intent of causing distress, or harms livestock through the use of:
(a) a motorized vehicle or all-terrain vehicle;
(b) a dog; or
(c) an unmanned aircraft system.
(3) A person is not guilty of harassment of livestock if:
(a) the person is:
(i) the owner of the livestock;
(ii) an employee or agent of the owner, or otherwise acting under the owner's general direction or with the owner's permission;
(iii) acting in an emergency situation to prevent damage to the livestock or property; or
(iv) an employee or agent of the state or a political subdivision and acting in the employee or agent's official capacity; or
(b) the action is in line with generally accepted animal husbandry practices.
(4) A person who violates this section is guilty of:
(a) a class B misdemeanor if the violation is a first offense and:
(i) no livestock is seriously injured or killed as a result of the person's actions; or
(ii) the person's actions cause the livestock to be displaced onto property where the livestock is not legally entitled to be; and
(b) a class A misdemeanor if:
(i) the person has previously been convicted of harassment of livestock under this section;
(ii) livestock is seriously injured or killed as a result of the person's actions; or
(iii) livestock or property suffered damage in excess of $1,000, including money spent in recovering the livestock, as a result of the person's actions.