Bluff council reviews draft animal ordinance focused on dogs and cats, asks for narrower scope and county coordination

Bluff Town Council members discussed a new draft animal ordinance at their March 11, 2025, work session, focusing on dogs and cats and how enforcement would work in practice.

Council members and staff said they want an ordinance that addresses public safety and animal welfare while recognizing the town relies on San Juan County deputies and Blanding’s animal shelter for field enforcement and holding facilities. The draft circulated to council would require licensure tags, distinguish licensure terms for altered versus unaltered animals, and include enforcement steps from pickup to impoundment.

Why it matters: multiple council members and staff said deputies have requested clearer local authority and that residents have reported an increase in calls about animals running loose. Council members noted hazards to drivers and risk of animals being killed or causing traffic incidents if no enforcement plan is in place.

Key points discussed

- Scope narrowed to dogs and cats: Council and staff agreed the first pass should cover dogs and cats only; hoofed animals, bees and other species were left out of this draft.

- Licensure structure: The draft proposes lifetime licensure for altered animals and annual licensure for unaltered animals, with fees intended to cover administrative costs and the physical tag. Council members discussed allowing owners to license cats but emphasized the primary problem reported has been dogs running at large.

- Enforcement and interlocal coordination: Staff said enforcement capacity would initially rely on San Juan County deputies and Blanding’s shelter for impoundment and holding; the council asked staff to approach the county about whether county licensing, tagging and impound procedures can be used for Bluff residents and to explore an interlocal agreement to formalize response and holding procedures.

- Definitions and liability concerns: Several members urged clearer, less subjective definitions of “dangerous dog” and “at large.” One council member proposed limiting the “dangerous” label to dogs that cause severe injury or kill a domestic animal without provocation or that repeatedly attack after notice, rather than subjective “propensity” language. Members noted that labeling affects enforcement outcomes including possible euthanasia and that definitions must be precise.

- Equity and logistics concerns: Council members raised equity issues — access to vets and spay/neuter services in the area, and whether licensing fees would be burdensome for some residents, including Navajo households. Members suggested pursuing periodic low-cost spay/neuter clinics (examples discussed included reaching out to Best Friends or similar organizations) before or alongside any fee program.

- Practical enforcement mechanics: Staff and council discussed creating a local point of contact (a Town cell phone or rotating contact) to facilitate returning animals to owners, and the practical limits of relying on microchips and collars in the field. Several members recommended a simpler initial enforcement standard (for example: “no dogs at large” defined as off-owner property and not under voice command or on a leash) to allow deputies to act quickly.

Next steps and outcome

Council members asked colleagues to review the draft and provide suggested edits in “suggesting” mode; no vote was taken. Staff was directed to coordinate with San Juan County deputies about licensure and impound procedures and to return with a narrowed scope and recommended definitions (particularly for “dog at large” and “dangerous dog”). Council members signaled interest in pursuing a local license only if it can be implemented without undue cost or inequitable impact, and in staging outreach or low-cost clinics to support licensing goals.

Speakers (as identified in the transcript)

- Erin — Staff member - Aaron — Staff member - Deputy Freestone — San Juan County sheriff’s deputy - Marsha Hayden — Former San Juan County planning and zoning participant (mentioned during other agenda items) - Anne — Council member (name as spoken in transcript; role not otherwise specified in transcript) - Dan — Council member / commenter (name as spoken in transcript; role not otherwise specified)

Authorities referenced

- Open and Public Meetings Act (statute) — referenced in discussion of committee meetings and remote/anchor-site requirements - San Juan County animal enforcement practices / county licensure (other) — referenced as existing county-level practice the town would coordinate with

Actions (formal directions from the meeting)

- direction: Review and revise draft animal ordinance (dogs and cats only) and return with a narrowed scope and suggested definitions; outcome: consensus to revise and coordinate with county; notes: no vote taken - referral: Staff to contact San Juan County deputies and Blanding shelter about interlocal enforcement and licensure procedures; outcome: assigned to staff, no timetable specified

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: the merits of licensing, scope (dogs and cats only), definitions of dangerous animals, equity concerns about fees, and the logistics of enforcement. - Direction: staff asked to coordinate with San Juan County and to return with a revised, narrower draft and suggested definitions. - Formal action: none taken at the March 11 session.

Clarifying details

- Proposed licensure model in draft: lifetime licensure for altered animals; annual licensure for unaltered animals (fee amounts not specified in the meeting) - Holding facility: Blanding’s shelter identified as the county facility used for impoundment (no local holding facility in Bluff) — source: staff comments in session

Community relevance

- Geographies affected: Town of Bluff; reliance on San Juan County and Blanding shelter for enforcement - Impact groups: dog and cat owners, residents reporting loose animals, deputies who respond to calls

Meeting context

- Engagement level: high (extensive discussion), multiple speakers involved, issue raised repeatedly by residents and deputies - Implementation risk: medium (requires interlocal agreement and county cooperation)

Searchable tags:["animal control","dogs","cats","licensing","San Juan County","Blanding shelter","public safety"]

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