A Larimer County man has pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated animal cruelty and animal theft after shooting and killing his neighbors’ cattle while driving around on a personal off-road vehicle. Michael Hester, 37, entered the plea deal last week, admitting to three counts of each felony charge. The deal dropped 12 additional charges from his case, including aggravated animal cruelty, animal theft, shooting from a public road, and felony trespassing.
Hester could face two to six years in prison and fines of up to $500,000 on each charge. His arrest came in April following reports from neighbors who claimed he shot at their cattle while driving a utility terrain vehicle. Deputies found seven dead cattle belonging to two neighbors and an eighth cow critically injured, which had to be euthanized.
Colorado’s “Open Range Law” allows livestock owners to graze animals without containment. Livestock owners are not required to fence their animals in, but landowners who wish to keep livestock off their property must fence them out.
Hester’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 31, 2025. To stay updated on crime news, sign up to receive daily updates straight to your inbox.
