In our community, we live close to wilderness areas and often have encounters with both domesticated and wild animals. We’re fortunate to have hard-working public safety officers that enforce laws at the state and local level that promote animal and human welfare.
While both local animal control and state wildlife agencies share a love for animals and a mission to improve their welfare, they serve very different roles. Understanding these differences can help residents know who to call in various situations — and how they can help support both.
What is Animal Control?
Summit County Animal Control is a local government agency responsible for enforcing domestic animal-related codes and ordinances. Our department, as part of Summit County, is tasked with ensuring the safety of both animals and the people who live around them. The animals we are equipped to assist include:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Pet birds
- Livestock
Example: A group of cows has escaped their pasture and wandered onto the shoulder of a road. Commuters saw the cows and called Animal Control to assist. Officers can locate the animals and prevent injury to people or livestock while working to contact the owner.
What is the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources?
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is a state government agency responsible for enforcing wildlife laws and conserving habitat. DWR also oversees hunting and fishing opportunities statewide. Animals the division is tasked with managing include:
- Deer and elk
- Moose
- Cougars
- Bears
- Bobcats
- Turkeys
- Coyotes
- Birds of prey
- Fish
Not every encounter or animal sighting needs to be reported to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. If you have specific questions about when to report a wildlife sighting, please check out this detailed article from DWR.
In general, if a wild animal is exhibiting aggressive behavior or has attacked a person or pet, you should report the incident to DWR. Additionally, for large animals like moose or bear, you should report the sighting only if the animal has wandered into city limits or seems to be foraging from trash cans or gardens.
Example: If you capture footage of a cougar on security cameras or see one from a distance in foothill areas, you do not need to report it. If it appears several times on your security cameras or it has killed something in a neighborhood or yard, then you should report the sighting to DWR: (801) 476-2740.
One important caveat: endangered species are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a federal government agency. Their efforts are often assisted by state and local agencies, but they are the ultimate authorities where endangered species are concerned.
Who Should I Call?
Domestic animals (pets & livestock) → Animal Control
- Stray dogs or cats
- Dog bites
- Barking complaints
- Animal neglect/cruelty
- Loose livestock (cows, goats, horses)
Wild animals → Utah DWR
- Deer, moose, elk, bear, cougar, coyote
- Injured wildlife
- Wildlife acting aggressive or sick
- Wildlife stuck in fencing or yards
Immediate danger → 911
Not sure → Call Animal Control and we will direct you
Final Thoughts
At Summit County Animal Control, we are proud to serve our community by promoting safety, compassion, and respect for all animals. We’re grateful to work alongside partners at the state and federal level, and we appreciate your interest in learning more about our different responsibilities.
By understanding our distinct roles, the public can make informed choices — and together, we can build a safer community for both people and animals.