SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As temperatures begin to warm, wildlife officials are reminding Utahns to keep their dogs from chasing wild animals during hiking or camping trips over the next several months.

In a statement Tuesday, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said that during the spring season many big game animals often struggle to find food and may be vulnerable and weak.

Dax Mangus, the big game coordinator for the DWR, said that if struggling deer or elk get chased by off-leash dogs, especially if it happens repeatedly, it could seriously hurt them.

“Their fat storage is often depleted by this time of year, and they often can’t afford to waste energy,” he said. “If you or a pet force them to move away from where they are trying to feed, it could be harmful for that animal.”

In many Utah wilderness areas, dogs are allowed to be off-leash. Even so, officials say that allowing pets to run at large puts them at risk of nasty collisions with mountain bikers, vehicles or other people recreating.

Dogs can also be endangered by animals protecting their young. Last summer, three dogs were killed in encounters with mountain goats on Mount Timpanogos. According to officials, one of the dogs harassed a goat with its kids, and the goat pushed the dog off a cliff.

“If you care about your pets, you should keep them secured while you are recreating outdoors,” said Dave Whittekiend, forest supervisor for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest,

Aside from keeping dogs leashed, pet owners are also advised by the DWR to make noise while hiking with their pet, not allow dogs to “play” with wildlife, and leave an area where there’s a carcass, as it could be a cougar kill.