Bill seeks to increase penalties for cattle rustling

A bill in the Legislature seeks to tackle a menace that conjures images of the Old West -- cattle rustling.

The bill by rancher and Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O'Neals, would increase penalties for livestock theft, which he and California Cattlemen's Association officials say is on the rise.

Bigelow's Assembly Bill 924 would base penalties on the value of the livestock stolen and enable prosecutors to seek jail time for repeat offenders of a minimum of 30 days. Money from fines would go to the state's Bureau of Livestock Identification, which investigates thefts.