Cache County adopts ordinance banning intentional feeding of wild animals, citing safety and disease risks

The Cache County Council passed ordinance 2026-26 on a voice vote, making it unlawful to intentionally or knowingly feed wild animals in unincorporated Cache County.

Council staff (speaker 22) said the ordinance responds to an “excessive amount of wild turkeys out in Mendon” and broader public-safety and wildlife-health concerns, including vehicle collisions, attraction of predators, and chronic wasting disease. “It would prohibit the intentional feeding of wild animals or make food available for their consumption with certain exceptions,” the presenter said. The ordinance allows exceptions for normal agricultural practices, songbird feeders, state or federal officials acting in their duties, authorized feeding programs, and naturally growing plants.

The county attorney recommended striking a presumption-of-intent clause and instead adopting language that requires a showing that a person acted “intentionally or knowingly.” The change removes an automatic burden shift to residents and makes enforcement focus on demonstrable conduct, the attorney and presenter said.

During discussion, a council member who farms (speaker 6) asked for protections for legitimate agricultural activities and for consideration of intent where landowners are trying to protect livestock or herd animals: “I regularly have 200 head of milk or more on my fields. I stack hay. I understand there's an agricultural exemption,” the council member said. The presenter and other council members said the ordinance expressly exempts normal agricultural and livestock practices and that initial enforcement is structured as a warning followed by infractions for repeat violations.

Under the enacted language, enforcement begins with a written warning and 48 hours to remediate; subsequent violations may result in infractions and fines, and repeated offenses can be elevated with statutory enhancements. The council adopted technical amendments discussed at the meeting and then moved to suspend the rules and approve the ordinance as amended.

The ordinance is intended to give deputies an enforceable measure for nuisance wildlife problems while keeping routine agricultural and wildlife-management activities exempt. The council recorded the motion and adoption by voice vote; no roll-call tally was taken.

The ordinance will take effect as provided in the county code and follow-up implementation and public outreach will be led by county staff and the sheriff's office.