Fish and Game: Pets a problem in wildlife areas

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is reminding pet owners that dogs must be on a leash in wildlife management areas.

KTVB-TV reports (https://bit.ly/1jmxbFY) that the agency is putting up more signs and adding patrols for the 53-square-mile Boise River Wildlife Management Area east of Boise hoping to protect wildlife.

A recent check found 80 percent of visitors violating a 4-year-old law requiring dogs to be on leashes while in wildlife management areas.

Agency spokeswoman Krista Mueller says now is a critical time for mule deer, elk, pronghorn and their young to survive to the end of the winter and early spring.

She says wildlife forced to move out of the area because of roaming pets use up fat reserves needed to get them through the next several weeks.

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Information from: KTVB-TV, https://www.ktvb.com/