The U.S. is covered in vast amounts of rural farm and ranch land. But as urban sprawl continues to stretch farther out and develop rural lands, landowners want to preserve their property from such expansion.

Since the 1800s, Texas has been an open-range state – meaning it is not mandatory for livestock owners to fence in their livestock to prevent them from roaming. Livestock that wanders onto the land belonging to another are not classified as trespassers, and owners are not responsible for any damages caused by the livestock. However, local county ordinances and U.S. state highways may modify the common law.