BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- A southern Idaho legislator wants to ease the duties of Idaho Department of Agriculture investigators now stretched thin due to a deluge of complaints of animal neglect.

Republican Jim Patrick of Twin Falls would shift inspections of complaints about companion animals to local law enforcement authorities, while leaving Agriculture Department employees responsible for livestock inspections including working horses, sheep and cattle.

Recreational horses would become the purview of local law enforcement agencies.

The poor economy has contributed to instances where some animal owners don't have resources to feed or properly care for their animals.

That's increased the work for state inspectors, when somebody complains.

The bill was introduced Thursday in the House Agricultural Affairs Committee, where Patrick said he didn't expect the shift to unduly burden local law enforcement agencies.

Copyright 2011 The AP.