Not so cute

Dear Editor,

It is quite obvious that Dr. Clements has not competed with the "cute" little dogs for her livelihood nor?had a horse or cow break a leg by stepping in a prairie dog hole.

Yes, prairie dogs do support other life forms, including Rattlesnakes, which he forget to mention. They also make possible a popular sport -- target shooting.

Not a competitor to livestock? They eat the same grass a cow would eat, but they eat it closer to the ground.

Yes, they prefer overgrazed or even normally grazed areas over pristine prairie. But, if the vegetation isn't short enough to their standards, they will soon get it the way they like it -- almost barren so they can better observe their surrounds for that wily coyote or the soaring hawk.

If unchecked, the prairie dogs will continuously expand the perimeter of their colony until they have consumed the whole area.

As to relocation, I think that would be an excellent idea, if the mechanics could be worked out (don't think salt on the tail method would work real well).

They could be?transported to the good doctor's lawn, or maybe even to a few city parks in her area so she and her neighbors could observe the "cute" little?fellows.

From personal experience, I can state that poisoning is an effective control method if used?diligently in conjunction with filling the holes. Destroying the holes does deter them from setting up housekeeping again.

As for the barrier method ... well, the barrier needed to keep out the illegal aliens would pale in comparison to what it would take to keep those critters?from going under, over or around.

The doctor was correct in stating that the Prairie Dogs have become "despised varmints." Those who have to compete with them for a?livelihood on this earth, put the dogs in about the same plane as?"Norway Rats."

Ray Haag,

Bartley