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County reiterates that animal services will not respond to raccoons; officials cite legal and licensing constraints
Summary
County staff reiterated that animal services do not handle raccoon responses, pointing to high call volumes, state wildlife rules and a 2020 licensing audit that raised compliance concerns.
During closing discussion the commission clarified the countys position on raccoon calls and related animal-services responsibilities.
Commissioners and animal-care staff said a 2019 decision by mayors and city managers designated raccoon response as primarily the responsibility of private pest-control providers because high call volume strained resources and allowed the county to focus on state-mandated animal welfare work. The animal-care director summarized two validations of that decision: a 2020 audit by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing that raised concerns about controlled-substances storage in animal-control vehicles and state wildlife regulations that prohibit the transport of live raccoons.
Commissioners reiterated the county will not compete with private pest-control businesses on raccoon responses and emphasized the legal and licensing limits facing the animal-care program.
The commission concluded the clarification should be recorded in the minutes for public understanding.
