On Nov.20, after a thorough investigation, the Navajo County Major Crimes Apprehension Team arrested 38-year-old Joseph Daniel Gibbons of Snowflake, Arizona for crimes against livestock.

On Aug. 22, it was reported to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office that a local cattle ranch located five deceased cattle in a pasture off Hay Hollow Road in Snowflake. The reporting party advised the cattle suffered gunshot wounds. The cattle owner notified the Arizona Department of Agriculture – Livestock Division and an investigation was initiated. NCSO Detectives ultimately partnered with the Department of Agriculture Investigators and conducted a lengthy investigation.

During the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for a residence on the 8900 block of Charolais Trail in the Snowflake area. During the execution of the search warrant, Detectives seized numerous weapons believed to be involved in the shooting of the livestock. On Oct. 31, a report was received back from the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab that indicated a bullet taken from a deceased cow matched one of the weapons that was seized from the residence.

On Nov. 20, an additional search warrant was served at the residence and property seeking additional evidence of the crime. Additionally, Gibbons was arrested and booked into NCSO Jail for two counts of animal cruelty and one count of killing of livestock. With 22 cattle deceased, the estimated loss for the cattle rancher is in excess of $65,000.00

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Arizona is an open-range state. That means that the responsibility for keeping livestock off the property falls on the property owner, not the livestock owner. However, the property owner cannot shoot the livestock to prevent them from coming onto their property.

“Navajo County has numerous cattle growers currently raising cattle for sale to local consumers as well as small independent families raising cattle. Navajo County was built on the industry of raising cattle and maintains a deep history in the cattle business. My deputies will respond and investigate all reports of crimes against livestock,” stated Sheriff Clouse.

The Animal Services Division of the Arizona Department of Agriculture has the statutory responsibility to protect livestock (equine, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine) from mistreatment and neglect. Neglect can include failure to provide feed, water, or veterinary care. While mistreatment refers to unnecessary serious physical injury.

Livestock officers and inspectors respond to thousands of calls each year. These responses start with a site visit and contact with the owner. The department decides the best course of action in order to resolve the situation depending on the specific issues related to the case. While oftentimes these cases are resolved with education, cases, where animals’ lives are in imminent danger, may result in the seizure of those animals.

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