What Is An “Open Range County?” Cow vs. Car Near Basin City, Car Wins

Unfortunately, the cow didn't make it.

FRANKLIN COUNTY DEPUTIES INVESTIGATE CAR vs. COW COLLISION

Wednesday evening, Franklin County Deputies were called to an area near the intersection of R-170 (Road or route 170) and Sheffield Road, concerning a collision between a passenger car and a cow.

The area is less than a half-mile southwest of Basin City. No word on how much damage to the car, but since it was blocking the road, the vehicle apparently sustained significant damage.

No one in the car was hurt, but some folks are wondering why the cow was wandering out in that area.

  FRANKLIN IS AN  OPEN RANGE COUNTY

You may, or may not know, many states have what are called "open-range" counties. These are generally very rural areas where cows and livestock are not required to be 'fenced-in.'  According to the website nationalaglawcenter.org:

"The “open range” states reverse the duty to fence in livestock and allow livestock to roam in certain remote parts of the state while requiring other landowners to fence off their land if they wish to keep livestock off of their property."

That's why the cow was out for a stroll, and why on many county roads you need to pay attention to those livestock signs posted all over the place.

A few years ago this was explained in an article from the Spokesman-Review, pertaining to Latah County, Idaho.