DWR: 31 animals killed, left on St. George golf course

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ST. GEORGE, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Thirty-one animals were killed and left on a St. George golf course on Thursday, according to the Division of Wildlife Resources .

On Sept. 12, DWR conservation officers received a report of “several dead animals” at the SunRiver Golf Club in St. George. An officer responded to the scene Friday morning to investigate.

The officer found 31 small animals — 26 jackrabbits, four skunks, and one raccoon — that had been killed and left on the golf course, not far from a nearby dog park.

These species are not protected under Utah state law, according to Faith Jolley with the DWR. This means you do not have to own a valid hunting or trapping license to harvest them, and the method of harvesting them is not regulated by law.

Upon further investigation, the officer determined that the animals were “removed on behalf of the golf course to prevent nuisance issues and property damage,” according to Jolley.

The animals were reportedly killed with an air rifle. They have since been removed from the area.

This incident is still under investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

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