Earth Notes
(2008-12-18)
LAWTON, OK
(kccu-fm) -
The Humane Society of the United States is criticizing the city of Lawton for its program to poison prairie dogs living in a city park. City officials say they want to thin out the prairie dog population because the animal's droppings and burrows make the park dangerous.
But Oklahoma Humane Society director Cynthia Armstrong says the poison bait is cruel. She says the prairie dogs may soon get special protection from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The state Department of Wildlife Conservation gave the city a three-month permit to use the poison and city workers began distributing it last week.
The city was fined $800 in February 2007 after using gas to poison prairie dogs in the park. © Copyright 2012, kccu-fm
