SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember and longtime rancher Frank Bigelow
(R-O’Neals) introduced AB 924, The Livestock Theft Prevention Act of
2013. Members of the California Cattlemen’s Association are pleased to
sponsor and support Assembly Bill 924 to increase penalties for
livestock theft. As California’s livestock owners have experienced for
decades, the financial loss from animal theft can impact a family
ranching operation tremendously and can mean the difference in ending up
in the red or in the black on any given year.
“As cattle have become more valuable in recent years, we have seen the
problem grow significantly.” said CCA President Tim Koopmann, a Bay
Area cow-calf producer. “CCA couldn’t be more eager to throw our support
behind this important legislation in hopes that the passing of this law
will make criminals think twice before stealing from hardworking
livestock producers. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Assemblymember
Bigelow for his attention to this important matter and are proud to
partner with him as the sponsor of the bill.”
AB 924, if passed, would provide penalty enhancements for those
convicted of livestock grand theft based on the total value of the
livestock stolen. For example, theft of livestock exceeding a value of
$15,000 will enable a District Attorney, if he or she elects, to add an
additional term to a criminal sentence. The bill will also limit
probation for repeat offenders and, in a response to prison
overcrowding, provides flexibility for a prosecutor to limit jail time
for repeat offenders to 30 days. The bill would also establish a fine to
be paid to the Bureau of Livestock Identification (CDFA) to provide
additional funding for future investigations involving livestock theft.
The increasing value of livestock has exponentially increased the
rates and severity of cattle rustling. Recent cases have involved grand
theft equating to nearly $40,000. In most cases, those convicted of
livestock grand theft receive little to no punishment. This bill will
provide the necessary tools for prosecutors to work with their
constituents to properly penalize persons convicted of livestock theft
especially those with previous convictions.
“As a lifelong rancher and advocate for rural California, I’m honored
to partner with the California Cattlemen’s Association to protect
cattlemen and other livestock producers from livestock theft,” Bigelow
said. “Since my first day in Sacramento I’ve been committed to making
sure we focus on real world solutions to real world problems and this
legislation does just that. I look forward to broad bi-partisan support
for this solution-oriented bill and I’m confident it will move
successfully through the legislative process.”
Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, is a lifelong rancher who
represents the 5th Assembly District in the California Legislature,
which includes all or parts of Placer County, El Dorado County, Alpine
County, Amador County, Calaveras County, Tuolumne County, Mariposa
County, Madera County and Mono County.
press release
