AZ Open Range Law Is Not Just One Law

In AZ, is an open range state. What this means is that livestock, cows, can roam freely in the rural countryside unless there are legal fences in place (ARS3-1426). There is not one specific Arizona law for open range, but rather a collection of nine state statues pertaining to livestock and fences. (Arizona Revised Statues Title 3, Chapter 11, Article 7) NOTE: I counted more than nine as listed below:

1. 3-1401 – Stray animals defined as livestock, bison or ratites (large birds like ostrich)
2. 3-1402 (A.B.C.D.E.F.) – Holding and sale of stray livestock; repossession; non liability of state
3. 3-1403 (A.B.) – Report by livestock officer or inspector; preliminary disposition of proceeds of sales; stray fund
4. 3-1404 – Payment of proceeds of sale to owner; final disposition of proceeds
5. 3-1421 (A.B.) - Foundation for Open Range Land
6. 3-1422 – Publication of order forming no-fence district
7. 3-1423 – Designation of stock driveway
8. 3-1424 – Civil and criminal liability of person allowing stock to run at large within non-fence district
9. 3-1425 – Dissolution of district
10. 3-1426 (A.B.) – Lawful fence defined
11. 3-1427 – Recovery for damage to un-fenced lands; exception
12. 3-1428 (A.B.) – Action to recover for damage done by livestock which break through lawful fence
13. 3-1429 (A.B.) – Exemption of incorporated city of town from provisions of article

What I tell people here in Golden Valley, Kingman, Yucca, Dolan Springs, Chloride, and White Hills is essentially “cows have rights.” Those rights included traveling wherever they wish unless there is a legal fence.  Also, the rights extend to the rancher who can seek and be awarded damages for any livestock that is killed usually by individuals driving way to fast.

Many of the livestock think cattle as I yet to see a bison or an ostrich are black. In rural areas, nighttime is very black because there are no street lights. Driving too fast or not being attentive can result in hitting and killing a cow. The driver must then pay the rancher for the dead cow which now is easily over $2,000 as well as to the damage to his/her own vehicle. 

Living here in Golden Valley, AZ, Mohave County, is one of the few remnants of the Old West. To see cattle roaming freely without fences always brings a smile to my face.

P.S. Please consider checking out my Facebook business page, The Grit and Gratitude Realtor, that will focus on the Dirt Roads in Mohave County as well local real estate, lots of dirt or vacant land parcels as some of the local attractions.

#LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently #OpenRange #ArizonaAcreage #GoldenValleyAZHomesAndLand #HorsePropertiesArizona

Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.

Feature Photo Courtesy of Leanne M Smith

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