Hiker walks with off-leash pet in southern Utah, location and date not specified | Photo by Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, St. George News
ST. George — As temperatures warm, many Utahns begin venturing outside more often for outdoor recreation. However, if you plan on taking your dog on hiking or camping trips this spring and summer, be careful to make sure your pet doesn't chase or harass wild animals.
The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources issued a media release saying Utah's large game animals often have a hard time finding food during the winter due to deep snow. By early spring, many of these wildlife species are vulnerable and weakened. Dogs left off-leash in the wild may follow their instincts and chase deer or other large game animals when they see them. However, this is detrimental to deer because in late winter they typically go into survival mode.
“Being chased, especially if repeated over and over again, can drain the energy needed to survive this most sensitive time of the year,” said Dax, Utah Department of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator.・Mr. Mangus said. “Although the winter has been mild compared to last year, it is still a delicate time for deer. Their fat stores are often depleted by this time and they often cannot afford to waste energy. Forcing a pet away from an area where it is feeding can be harmful to the animal.”
Deer and other large game animals typically move to lower elevations in search of food during the snowy winter months, so avoid approaching roads and urban areas in populated areas where people and pets may be present. is common.
National forests are some of the areas where people may encounter wildlife during recreation. Pets are allowed in all National Forests, but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in developed recreation areas (such as campgrounds) and established interpretive trails.
In most other areas of the National Forest, dogs are not required to be leashed, but dogs must be under their owner's control at all times.
“Free-ranging pets are also at risk from cars, mountain biking and other types of recreational use,” said Dave Wittekeend, forest supervisor for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. . “If you're concerned about your pet, you need to keep it safe while recreational outdoors.”
Although there are many other areas in the state where dogs are not required to be leashed, pet owners should not let their dogs chase deer, elk, elk, or other wildlife. It can be dangerous not only to wildlife but also to pets.
“Wild animals are often unpredictable and may harm or kill dogs deemed a threat,” Mangas said.
Off-leash dogs can disturb nesting ground birds and chase, injure, or kill small mammals, including deer, elk, and moose.
It's also in your best interest to not let your pet chase wild animals. That's because Utah law says a dog that “attacks, chases, or disturbs ungulate protected wildlife” can be killed or injured.
Click here for more tips Wild Aware Utah About keeping your dog safe around wild animals:
- Keep your dog's vaccinations up to date.
- Be aware that moose can be particularly aggressive towards dogs.
- Always supervise your pet when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
- If you find a dead animal, move away from the area. It could be a dead animal that the cougar is guarding or returning to.
- Make noise while hiking.
- Don't let your dog “play” with or chase wild animals. It is against Utah law to allow a dog to chase or harass ungulate wildlife.
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