Kansas Prairie Dogs to be poisoned!

OAKLEY, Kan. A western Kansas judge could decide on GroundhogDay whether to force some western Kansas ranchers to move their cattle so county officials can poison prairie dogs. Logan Countycommissioners filed a lawsuit January tenth against ranchers andlandowners who have fought their efforts to wipe out prairie dogs. Farmers and ranchers say the animals destroy pastures and fieldsby digging holes and tunneling. They also say the rodents competewith cattle for grass to forage. Some people who oppose the county's eradication attempts supporta federal effort to reintroduce the endangered black-footed ferretto the area. Prairie dogs are a main food source for the ferrets. A hearing on the matter is set for February second -- GroundhogDay.----A judge will hear the county's request for a temporary injunctionforcing the ranchers and landowners to remove the cattle from anylands while the county applies rodenticide. Information from: The Hays Daily News, http://www.hdnews.netCopyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Thismaterial may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Note from YB: If anyone can take a moment to protest the poisoning, you may beable to connect thru the Hays Daily News website....