Resident urges enforcement after loose dogs attack show lambs

Alexis Mieure told the council on June 2 that recurring incidents of stray or loose dogs have attacked her family’s sheep, including animals raised as show lambs, and said the losses are both "financially and emotionally significant." She asked the council to act to prevent further attacks.

Council Member Ben Allred noted that Uintah County animal control is under contract to handle such issues but has only two or three officers for the whole county, limiting their ability to respond rapidly. Mayor Nile Mathisen said Uintah County has a leash law and that violations can result in a $500 fine; council members agreed fines should be enforced in Ballard and that Brent Bastian, who serves on the animal board, will bring the issue to that board’s next meeting.

The council did not adopt an immediate enforcement action or local ordinance at the meeting; they discussed enforcement through the existing county leash law and agreed to have the animal board consider the recurring problem. The issue remains subject to follow-up at future meetings.