A bill sponsored by the Basin’s local representative could make Utah the first state in the nation to make drone harassment of livestock a crime. HB 217, sponsored by Representative Scott Chew, moved onto the Senate floor this week after unanimously passing in the House. “There is a growing problem of people chasing animals with things like four wheelers and drones,” explains Representative Chew. “There have been many incidents of the behavior and then people putting videos up on YouTube. They are chasing these animals, laughing and thinking their behavior is funny and the law needs to address it.” If passed, the bill will prohibit any person from intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chasing, disturbing or harming livestock through the use of a motorized vehicle, a dog or an unmanned aircraft system.
