Utah County Sheriff’s Office Auctioning Five Goats

SPANISH FORK, Utah – Officials with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office are auctioning off five goats that were abandoned, and they are looking for good homes to send them to.

“Occasionally deputies take possession of livestock or other animals that have been abandoned,” officials said. “The Utah County Sheriff’s Office wants them to go to good homes and we are holding an auction and hope you can help that happen.”

Deputies said they try to locate owners of animals and care for them at a local animal shelter.

“Our first priority is to find the owners, but that is not always possible,” deputies said. “For horses and cows with brands then the brand inspector can sometimes help. Otherwise, we depend on people checking with the shelter to see if their animal is being held at one of the shelters.”

Do you need a goat? Maybe as a environment friendly lawn mower? Or for milk? Or for junior high school rodeo? Well, @UCSO has an opportunity for you! Click the link for complete details! https://t.co/DOTV1jP8q1 pic.twitter.com/Bfn6Y8GzJA

— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) October 21, 2020

When the owner cannot be located within five days, they start the auction process. That process can take two to three weeks, but officials have reported low participation in those auctions, with some animals going for as little as $10.

“We are not concerned about revenue, as the costs of keeping the animals is typically much more than what they sell for at auction,” deputies said. “But we want more people to be aware when we have animals to auction so they can perhaps find a good horse for their family, or some goats for their yard.”

As of Wednesday, deputies had five goats up for auction.

Auction Process

• Bids must be sealed in an envelope.  Your name must be on the outside of the envelope.
• The bid on a separate sheet of paper inside must include your name, a contact phone number, and the amount you are bidding and which animal or animals you are bidding on.
• Unsealed envelopes will not be considered.
• The winning bidder must pick up the animal within a reasonable time after their bid is accepted. (Within a couple of days.)  The winning bid is a binding contract to purchase the animal from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

Payment must be by cash or check. Bidding opens Friday morning and closes at noon on Monday, Nov. 2.

If you want to view the animals call Central Utah Dispatch at 801-794-3970 and ask to speak to one of the Animal Control deputies.

You can bring the sealed bid to the patrol office or mail them to the following address:

Utah County Sheriff’s Office

Attn:  Deputy Wilson, sealed bid auction for goats

3075 North Main Street

Spanish Fork, UT 84660