Farmers allowed to shoot animals
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
lpark@standard.net
Layton code change narrowly defines gun use in city limits
LAYTON -- Agricultural landowners can now shoot a gun within city limits under certain conditions.
The Layton City Council passed several amendments to two ordinances dealing with animals this week.
The first allows an agricultural landowner to shoot a skunk or raccoon caught in a trap. Layton City Attorney Gary Crane said the city received a number of calls from farmers who wanted to find a less expensive way to dispose of the animals than calling Davis County Animal Control and Services.
In August, the department adopted a $20 disposal fee per animal, but the fee was recently rescinded by the Davis County Commission.
"We were flooded with calls from farmers and the public in general," said Bryan Smith, field officer with Davis Animal Control and Services. The residents said they could not afford to pay the disposal fee, but wanted to get rid of raccoons and skunks.
Smith said the city ordinance will help the county while it reviews its ordinance.
Layton Mayor Steve Curtis said the city has not allowed firearms to be discharged within city limits for more than 20 years. Officials said the amendments will take care of health risks posed by the animals.
"I strongly support the right of a farmer to trap raccoons and shoot them," Sharm Stevenson said.
Stevenson lives in east Layton but farms on the west side. He said he trapped about 40 raccoons this year, but quit trapping them after the county started charging a fee.
Stevenson said he prefers having Davis County officers come out and take care of the pests.
Bill Day, co-owner of Days Farm, also said he prefers having an animal control officer take care of the animals.
"I hate to kill anything," Day said.
Agricultural owners will also be allowed to shoot an animal, such as a cow, for lawful slaughter as long as it is for personal consumption.
The city also passed an amendment to another ordinance to protect domestic animals, service animals, hoofed protected wildlife or domestic fowl from a dog attack.
The ordinance allows a person to injure or kill a dog that "is attacking, chasing or worrying" another animal.
Crane said all the amendments require a call to the police department to let them know a resident is going to shoot an animal, and a second call when the shooting occurs. No shots can be fired within 600 feet of a home or toward vehicles.
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