OCR Text |
Show mrlff 'f f , i ....... !' u " I.UIIM... H.UI.I...I . ! "" 4s r . n. V. - ,.k " ..':: " - . .v--f' ' t.,.. .-v - , ; .' ' ' 1 ' ' ' , '' -; ' ' ' ' ' " " . ' . ... .' ' J Department of Wildlife Resources conservation officer, Garth Carter, right, and Animal Control Officer, Leon Stocks, left, exhibit a deer that had to be destroyed. It had been chased by dogs until it was exhausted and a front leg had been completely broken. Officials warn dog owners that strict measures will be taken to end the rash of stock and wildlife deaths caused by domestic dogs. Bog Problems in County Mamma to Residents Division of Wildlife Resources Conservation Conser-vation Officer Garth Carter reported a wildlife abuse incident on Monday, Jan.-17. Jan.-17. Officer Carter was contacted by Deputy Sheriff Carl Davis and Moab Animal Control Officer Leon Stocks about a deer that had been run down by dogs apparently belonging to someone in Pov.-jr House Lr.;- Trailer Com:. . Deputy Sheriff Davis said that. BLM officers first spotted the deer with two dogs in close pursuit above the old power dam on Millcreek Dr. One of the deer's front legs had been broken completely. The BLM officers managed to capture one of the dogs, but the other escaped. They called the BLM office, which then contacted Deputy Sheriff Davis and Leon Stocks. When the two men arrived on the scene, they tracked the deer to Tusher Canyon near the home of Dick Cozzens. Deputy Sheriff Davis stated that the deer was near collapse from fright and exhaustion and he had no choice but to destroy it. Conservation Officer Garth Carter was called; and after inspecting the animal, he agreed with the other two officers that chances were slim for the meat being salvagable since the deer was no itn down, file ciptured dog was destroyed according to the Utah Wildlife Resources Code, Section 18-1-3 which reads: "Killing Of Dogs PermittedAny person may kill a dog while it is attacking, chasing, or worrying any . domestic animal having a commercial value or any species of hoofed protected wildlife, while attacking domestic fowls,1 or while such dog is being pursued thereafter." Officer Carter stated that the reason for the strict code was because dogs chasing deer and other wildlife cause the animal to be run down to the point of death from exhaustion, or to the point of not being able to survive natural winter stress. He also said that particularly at this time of year, dogs chasing a female could cause her to abort or absorb a new fetus, resulting in the death of possibly three deer instead of one and a reduction in herd size. Officer Carter also stressed that any person may kill a dog molesting stock or wildlife whether on private or public property. He warns dog owners that it is their responsibility to control their animals. His statement was reinforced ' by Davis and Stocks who said that both Moab City and Grand County Ordinances Ordinan-ces require that dogs must not be allowed to roam freely. If caught, they may be held in the pound and fines imposed upon the owner, or if a dog is deemed vicious by an officer, it can be destroyed. |