Utah Code § 4-25-401
This is the official text of Utah Code § 4-25-401, part of Utah’s Code — part of the compiled statutory law of Utah, published by the state as "Code." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
§ 4-25-401. Impounded livestock -- Determination and location of owner -- Sale -- Disposition of proceeds -- Notice -- Title of purchaser -- Immunity from liability.
Official statutory text
(1) As used in this section, "impounded livestock" means the following animals seized and retained in legal custody: (a) cattle; (b) calves; (c) horses; (d) mules; (e) sheep; (f) goats; (g) hogs; or (h) domesticated elk. (2) (a) A county may: (i) take physical possession of impounded livestock seized and retained within its boundaries; and (ii) attempt to determine the name and location of the impounded livestock's owner. (b) The department shall assist a county who requests help in locating the name and location of the owner or other person responsible for the impounded livestock. (c) (i) Notwithstanding the requirements of Title 67, Chapter 4a, Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, if the county cannot determine ownership of the impounded livestock, or, if having determined ownership, neither the county nor the department is able to locate the owner within a reasonable period of time, the impounded livestock shall be sold at a livestock or other appropriate market. (ii) The proceeds of a sale under Subsection (2)(c)(i), less the costs described in Subsection (2)(c)(iii), shall be paid to the State School Fund created by the Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 5, Subsection (1). (iii) The livestock or other market conducting the sale under Subsection (2)(c)(i) may deduct the cost of feed, transportation, and other market costs from the proceeds of the sale. (3) A county shall publish the intended sale of the impounded livestock within the county where the impounded livestock was taken into custody, as a class A notice under Section 63G-30-102, for at least 10 days before the date of the sale. (4) A purchaser of impounded livestock sold under this section shall receive title to the impounded livestock free and clear of all claims of the livestock's owner or a person claiming title through the owner. (5) If a county complies with the provisions of this section, the county is immune from liability for the sale of impounded livestock sold at a livestock or other appropriate market. (6) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (2)(c), a county may employ a licensed veterinarian to euthanize an impounded livestock if the licensed veterinarian determines that the impounded livestock's physical condition prevents the impounded livestock from being sold.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Need a lawyer in Utah?
Find a Utah lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.