Bluff council directs attorney to draft short 'estrays' ordinance; debate over pets and livestock

The Bluff Town Council directed staff to ask the town attorney to prepare a short, focused ordinance addressing estrays — unbranded livestock such as sheep, cattle, horses, mules and swine found at large — after council members said the town currently lacks a clear process for notice, custody and disposition.

Mayor Linda Sosa said the town needs “a process for notice and getting the information out to the community” and proposed using sample language from Utah code to create a brief ordinance rather than a long, sweeping document. Several council members agreed, and the council asked the attorney’s office to assign an associate to draft a concise ordinance to avoid high legal fees.

Council members debated whether to fold stray dogs and feral cats into the same ordinance. Some members said stray domestic animals (collared dogs that roam) can often be reclaimed quickly and are different from livestock that are typically auctioned if unclaimed. Others favored combining nuisance animals (feral cats, loose dogs and livestock running at large) under the same enforcement rubric to simplify enforcement for deputies.

The council reached consensus to prioritize drafting separate, simplified ordinances for the most frequently reported problems: estrays (livestock), nuisance/feral animals, and dangerous dogs. Members asked staff to meet with the sheriff’s office to clarify enforcement, pickup procedures, where impounded animals would be housed, and cost responsibilities before finalizing drafts.

Next steps: Staff will provide a short scope and sample language to the attorney’s office and will attempt to coordinate with county enforcement to confirm practical pickup and holding arrangements.