MUSCATINE, Iowa — Farmers with a bovine border problem, or other wandering livestock will soon have to shell out some money if they can’t keep their errant animals from wandering.

Among new state laws taking effect Sunday, July 1, is one that can force owners of livestock to fence in animals that frequently run wild.

The livestock fencing legislation can force livestock owners  to build a fence if animals stray on private property or public roadways more than three times within 12 months.

A county’s board of supervisors or township trustees can assess the fence costs, plus a 5 percent penalty, to the livestock owner’s property taxes if they don’t comply within 30 days.

“It’s a good law. I think it will help,” said Capt. David Lerch of the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.

Lerch said roaming livestock is not infrequent in the county. Deputies respond to a few of the animal complaints each month, he said.

“It’s enough of a problem out in the county,” Lerch said. “I think three in a month is pretty excessive.”

Most reports are called in on cell phones when livestock — primarily cattle — cross onto the roadway, Lerch said.

On Wednesday, Lerch and another deputy chased 10 head of cattle off the roadway at the intersection of North Tipton Road and 170th Street. He said the animals pose a public safety hazard when they get loose, he said.

“The cattle ... stand there till someone hits them,” Lerch said.

Deputies have also responded to calls involving stray horses, ponies, hogs and even emu, he said.

Lerch said deputies usually try to chase the animals off the roads while dispatchers try to locate the livestock owners from a list they have and from maps.

Reports are generated across the county, Lerch said. Many are the result of the kind of livestock owners the new law will target.

“There’s a lot of repeat offenders out there,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said loose livestock was only an occasional problem there.

Eric Furnas, Muscatine County’s zoning director, said there’s currently no local ordinance addressing fencing for stray livestock. Animal owners are, however, liable for damages.

Contact Jennifer Meyer at 563-262-0525 or jennifer.meyer@muscatinejournal.com.

At A Glance

Other Iowa laws that take effect Sunday are:

* Children’s Health — Blood lead testing for children by age 6 and pneumococcal disease immunizations for children in licensed day care centers (House File 158 & 245)

* Sibling visitation — Siblings who are put into different foster homes will now be allowed to visit each other (SF 480)

* Car Title Loans — Consumers using car title loans cannot be charged more than 21 percent interest; current interest rates on car title loans are around 264 percent (House File 5)

* Used Car Protections — In an effort to protect consumers, used car dealers will be required to attend classes on state/federal laws pertaining to used car sales (Senate File 358)

* Keg Registration — In an effort to curb underage drinking, each keg will have an ID number and must be registered when sold (House File 650)

* Vietnam Veterans Conflict Bonus — Vietnam veterans who have not collected their bonus and served between July 1, 1973, and May 31, 1975, can collect up to $500 (Senate File 578)

* Protecting our flag — it will once again be illegal to deface, defile, mutilate or trample on the American Flag  (HF  817)

* ATV & Snowmobiles — Electronic registration for ATV and snowmobiles; increased penalties for violations of ATV and snowmobile regulations (House File 742)

* Youth Deer Hunting — Youth who do not kill a deer during youth deer season can use the tag during the December shotgun seasons (Senate File 435)

* Wildlife Habitat Fee — Pheasant hunters will pay $11 for the wildlife habitat fee; the $3 increase all goes to improve bird habitat through wetland conservation and buffer strips (Senate File 558)

* Internet Hunting — Hunting animal over an internet website is illegal (HF 671)

* Dogs — it will no longer be legal to kill a licensed dog just because it is bothering your pet (SF 406)

n Charity Card Tournaments — Allows veterans organization to hold weekly card games and non-profits to hold annual game nights (Senate File 414)

* Dangerous Animals — Prohibits individuals from selling or owning dangerous wild animals, like wolves, lions or bears; existing owners of dangerous animals are grandfathered in but must register their animals (Senate File 564)

* Driver’s License Suspensions —  Iowans who have a suspended driver’s license due to fines, surcharges or court costs can get their license back if they agree to an installment plan to repay the money they owe (House File 641)

* Generation Iowa Commission —Commission will begin seeking ideas to keep young people in Iowa (HF 617)

* Discrimination — It will no longer be legal to discriminate against a person because of  sexual orientation (SF 427)

* Safe schools — School districts must have a policy to prevent harassment and bullying in their schools (SF 61)

* Medical Research — Iowa scientist will be able to do embryonic stem cell research to find cures for diseases like Parkinson’s, cancer and diabetes, however human cloning remains illegal  (SF 162)

— Source: Compiled by the

Iowa House Democratic staff