Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Agricultural Law Enforcement

Someone tried to steal a newborn calf(3-4 days old) the other night and was scared off by my husband. The calf died from some injuries it sustained in an assumed struggle to escape from the thief. The mother of the calf sustained injuries that appear to be from a strike with a blunt object to the area between her eyes. Her face is noticeably swollen on one side and blood has dried in the corners and under both eyes. What are the punishment guidelines for this type of crime under Florida law? I hear that ''Cattle Rustling'' is still punishable by hanging?


Asked on 11/08/08, 9:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Brent Rose The Orsini & Rose Law Firm

Re: Agricultural Law Enforcement

The police will probably charge this as burglary (entering a fenced-in area with intent to commit a felony), which is a five-year crime, grand theft (assuming the calf is worth over $300), a five year crime, and animal abuse, a one-year crime. If the calf's mother suffered "great bodily harm," the animal abuse becomes a 15-year crime.

There are no "hanging" crimes in the U.S.

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Answered on 11/09/08, 2:43 pm


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