Montana § 81-5-101 - Moving Livestock From Customary Range Forbidden

§ 81-5-101. Moving Livestock From Customary Range Forbidden

Moving livestock from customary range forbidden. (1) A person who willfully moves or causes to be moved any cattle, horses, mules, swine, llamas, alpacas, domestic bison, or sheep from their owner's customary range without the permission of the owner shall upon conviction be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 6 months or by a fine not exceeding $500, or both. (2) A person who negligently moves or causes to be moved any cattle, horses, mules, swine, llamas, alpacas, domestic bison, or sheep from their owner's customary range without the permission of the owner shall upon conviction be punished by: (a) a term of imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 6 months; (b) a fine not exceeding: (i) $25 for a first offense; (ii) $250 for a second offense; and (iii) $500 for a third or subsequent offense; or (c) both imprisonment and the appropriate fine. (3) Prior to the imposition of the penalty provided for in subsection (1) or (2), the owner of the livestock shall file a complaint with the department. The department shall conduct an investigation to determine the circumstances under which the livestock were moved.