City Of Lubbock Begins Removing Prairie Dogs Around Town

Are Prairie Dogs a nuisance that needs to be dealt with? Or are they part of the natural wildlife in Lubbock that needs to be left alone?

The City of Lubbock began removing prairie dogs in the Canyon Lakes System last Thursday, April 11th. This is part of a wider effort to help areas they believe are overrun with them and pose a threat to public safety.

Officials with the City of Lubbock and the Parks and Recreation Department say that the land is in bad shape and the prairie dog holes make it dangerous.

While the Llano Estacado Audubon Society understands the need to manage the prairie dog population in some areas, they are also concerned about how the eradication will impact burrowing owls.

Burrowing owls share homes with prairie dogs and are currently in their peak nesting season, which is why people like Glenda Kelly, who is the president of the Audubon Society, are worried about the eradication hurting them.