Livestock theft bill moves to House floor

Cattle raising plays a huge role in Eastern New Mexico agriculture, as well as the entire state. It doesn’t come much as a surprise that most are in favor of House Bill 153, which would increase the penalty for livestock thievery.

On Feb. 22, the House Judiciary Committee moved to send a committee substitute for House Bill 153 out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation. It will now move to the House floor.

“This is something that is definitely needed,” said Bronson Corn who is the President Elect for the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA). Corn, who has been in Santa Fe for this legislative session, said the bill is “not expected to have any opposition.”

If all goes through, House Bill 153 would put in place a tiered system of penalties for livestock theft, based on the value of what is stolen. Larceny of livestock worth $2,500 or less would remain a third-degree felony, but instances where the stolen livestock value exceeds $2,500 would be a second-degree felony. This would carry a sentence of up to nine years in prison, and possibly a $10,000 fine.

Corn said, “It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it needs to be more than a misdemeanor.”

Pat Boone served as the President for NMCGA during 2016-2017. He agreed that livestock producers are in favor of this bill. In his experience, those that steal livestock would typically re-sell to sale barns.

“They might even sell them to an individual if they’re in cahoots together,” he said.

However, in New Mexico that could be quite difficult because cattle need to be branded and have the proper documentation. More than likely, they would re-sell out of state.

If there were any kind of suspicion, he said, most of the time an inspector would start an investigation.

Corn said most cases of livestock theft happen in mountainous counties where it’s harder to see. He said there was one instance in Eastern New Mexico in Roswell where a dairy had some individuals that were ear-tagging heifers with bull tags to save money. Heifers are of course more valuable because they can raise calves, and he said this went on for several years.

Even though it doesn’t happen often, Corn said, “It may sound harsh, but that’s our livelihoods.”

He added that this bill would give producers breathing room, knowing thieves will have more intense consequences. He said it would also give the livestock board more footing to stand on along with the district attorney.