76-6-413. Release of a fur-bearing animal — Finding.
| (1) |
Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. |
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Terms Used In Utah Code 76-6-413
- Actor: means a person whose criminal responsibility is in issue in a criminal action. See Utah Code 76-1-101.5
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Property: means anything of value, including real estate, tangible and intangible personal property, captured or domestic animals and birds, written instruments or other writings representing or embodying rights concerning real or personal property, labor, services, or otherwise containing anything of value to the owner, commodities of a public utility nature such as telecommunications, gas, electricity, steam, or water, and trade secrets, meaning the whole or any portion of any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or invention which the owner intends to be available only to persons selected by the owner. See Utah Code 76-6-401
| (2) |
An actor commits release of a fur-bearing animal if the actor intentionally and without permission of the owner releases a fur-bearing animal raised for commercial purposes. |
| (3) |
| (a) |
Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony. |
| (b) |
A violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony if the value of the property is or exceeds $5,000. |
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| (4) |
The Legislature finds that the release of a fur-bearing animal raised for commercial purposes subjects the animal to unnecessary suffering through deprivation of food and shelter and compromises the animal’s genetic integrity, thereby permanently depriving the owner of substantial value. |
| (5) |
An actor who violates Subsection (2) is civilly liable for three times the amount of actual damages, if any sustained by the plaintiff, and for costs of suit and reasonable attorney fees. |
Amended by Chapter 111, 2023 General Session
