Gilbert officials held a study session Tuesday to address concerns from residents who say their neighborhood is overrun by free-roaming cattle. The town says there’s very little that can be done.
The Adora Trails neighborhood sits on the southern edge of the town, near Hunt Highway and Higley Road. And it’s adjacent to the Gila River Indian Community.
The cattle belong to a Gila River rancher, and they often roam the neighborhood — raising concerns about safety, traffic and property damage.
Resident Heather Riccobono says the cattle are present in many places.
“They're on our sidewalks. They're in our parks. They're on our streets. It doesn't matter the time of day. It feels there's a constant situation where you can always easily spot a large group of cows," she said.
Town officials say there’s little that can be done, citing the state’s free-range laws — which put the onus on property owners, not the rancher, to keep cattle off their property.
Gila River’s sovereign status also limits the town’s options.
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