Snyder Commissioners to Determine Fate of Prairie Dog Town
By: Snyder Daily News
Updated: April 13, 2012
The future of Snyder's prairie
dog town is in question after
county officials discovered new
regulations related to keeping
the animals in Towle Park.
Larry Thompson, director of the Scurry County Parks Department, will present information without recommendation to the commissioners court on Tuesday regarding new requirements for containing and keeping the animals.
Thompson said that the retaining wall would have to be replaced, along with the construction of a six-foot chain-link fence above the wall for containment.
Additionally, the county would be required to obtain several state and federal permits, including health permits.
"We will need a zoo permit, as well as city, state and federal permits," Thompson said. "Those permits aren't free and many will have to be renewed yearly. With the federal government, you're talking months of paperwork."
The previous group of prairie dogs that died during last summer's record drought had been grandfathered in under old regulations.
The parks department was contacted by an anonymous donor who pledged white prairie dogs for the park, but the rules for keeping them have changed dramatically since the original group was first introduced.
Prairie dog town also has been a frequent target of vandals, and the current retaining wall has been a frequent target. The southwest corner of the wall has been knocked over twice in 2012 -- the last time being over the weekend after crews had filled it with cement.
Thompson said if the commissioners decide not to house the animals in the park again, the area could be used as a dogwalking park.
The commissioners court meets at 10 a.m. in the county courtroom.
Larry Thompson, director of the Scurry County Parks Department, will present information without recommendation to the commissioners court on Tuesday regarding new requirements for containing and keeping the animals.
Thompson said that the retaining wall would have to be replaced, along with the construction of a six-foot chain-link fence above the wall for containment.
Additionally, the county would be required to obtain several state and federal permits, including health permits.
"We will need a zoo permit, as well as city, state and federal permits," Thompson said. "Those permits aren't free and many will have to be renewed yearly. With the federal government, you're talking months of paperwork."
The previous group of prairie dogs that died during last summer's record drought had been grandfathered in under old regulations.
The parks department was contacted by an anonymous donor who pledged white prairie dogs for the park, but the rules for keeping them have changed dramatically since the original group was first introduced.
Prairie dog town also has been a frequent target of vandals, and the current retaining wall has been a frequent target. The southwest corner of the wall has been knocked over twice in 2012 -- the last time being over the weekend after crews had filled it with cement.
Thompson said if the commissioners decide not to house the animals in the park again, the area could be used as a dogwalking park.
The commissioners court meets at 10 a.m. in the county courtroom.
