Current through 2023-2024 Legislative Session Chapters 1-597, 604, 609, 612, 696, 697
Section 16-8-20 - [Effective 7/1/2024] Livestock theft(a) A person commits the offense of livestock theft when he unlawfully takes or, being in lawful possession thereof, unlawfully appropriates any livestock of another with the intention of depriving the owner of such livestock.(b) For the purposes of this Code section, the term "livestock" means horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, and any domestic animal produced as food for human consumption.(c) Any person committing the offense of livestock theft shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two nor more than 15 years and by a fine of $10,000.00; provided, however, that, if the fair market value of the livestock taken or appropriated is $100.00 or less, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.(d) For the purposes of this Code section, if any livestock is killed or mutilated and a portion thereof taken, the value of the whole animal while alive or his entire carcass, whichever is greater, shall be considered for the purpose of distinguishing between a misdemeanor offense and a felony offense.Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 499,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 534,§ 7, eff. 5/12/2008.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.