Tooele County Cattle Shooting Reward
Increased to $10,000

Two more agriculture-oriented organizations have joined the efforts to locate whoever shot and killed 10 cows in Tooele County. Western AgCredit has pledged $1,000, and the Dairy Producers of Utah has pledged $500 to the Tooele County cattle shooting reward fund.

Utah ranching organizations along with the Humane Society of Utah are offering the reward to help locate and convict those responsible for the Tooele County shooting that took place last week. The reward fund currently sits at $10,000.

Martin Anderson, of Grantsville, said he found six cows and a calf shot to death on land he has grazed his herd on for 50 years. Three other cows had also been shot and had to be euthanized he said. The animals were located not far from a remote road in Northwestern Skull Valley.

The shooting has outraged the Utah ranching community which has established a reward account to help find those responsible.

Those groups making donations include:

Western AgCredit - $1,000;
Dairy Producers of Utah - $500;
Utah Cattlemen’s Association - $1,000;
The Tooele Co. and State chapters of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation - $1,500 dollars;
The Utah Farmer’s Union - $1,000; and
The Humane Society of Utah - $5,000.

The animals had bullet wounds in their heads, torsos, shoulders and hips, and many were shot multiple times, he said. Anderson found the animals April 25th; and their injuries appeared to be a day or so old.

Anderson estimates the loss at $10,000 to $15,000. Felony charges would be brought against a suspect.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office at: (435) 843-4705.

Posted May 2, 2008