Please stop ‘rescuing’ working livestock dogs, Iron County sheriff tells residents
IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Well-meaning people in southwestern Utah are “rescuing” working ranch and farm dogs, and local authorities are urging them to stop.
The Iron County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook this week, saying there’ve been several recent incidents of people picking up farm dogs whom they think are abandoned.
Utah lab aims to explore health impacts of competitive gaming
“These dogs may seem abandoned, but they’re working and removing them from their area leaves the herds they’re guarding vulnerable,” the sheriff’s office said. “This is also frustrating for the owners having to constantly track their dogs down.”
The sheriff’s office cautioned that working dogs will be more visible in mountainous areas heading into the spring and summer seasons as the herds move to higher ground.
Still, if people believe they see an abandoned dog, they are asked to call the county’s non-emergency line at 435-586-9445.
The sheriff’s office said deputies are generally aware of where the working dogs are and can make sure livestock guard dogs aren’t being taken off the job.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
