Horse theft
Horse theft is the crime of stealing a horse. A person accused of stealing a horse is known as a horse thief. Horse theft was fairly common throughout the world prior to widespread car ownership. Punishments were often severe for horse theft. In several places the sentence of death was carried out.[1] This was seen as a deterrent against horse theft.[1] Death for an agricultural crime such as horse theft is seen as inhumane under most modern systems of law.[1] Horse theft is an uncommon crime today.[2]
Horse Theft Media
1913 photo of tree in Horse Thief Canyon where a number of horse thieves were hanged
Alfred Jacob Miller's Snake Indian Pursuing "Crow" Horse Thief, c. 1859
1877 chromolithograph, The trial of a horse thief