Prairie dog town will not re-open.
Scurry County Commissioners today voted unanimously to not re-introduce the animals into the park after Parks Department Director Larry Thompson informed commissioners of numerous new regulations regarding keeping and caring for them.
Thompson said he spoke with County Attorney Mike Hartman and discovered that the county would need five permits and a federal inspection, including permits from the Texas departments of health and parks and wildlife, as well as construct a new 6-foot fence around the perimeter of the town.
A veterinarian also would be required to give the animals a yearly physical.
Commissioners all agreed that the cost to taxpayers and the liability makes re-opening prairie dog town cost prohibitive.
"The kids enjoyed it when there was no cost to the county, but we need to use our tax dollars more wisely," said Precinct 3 Commissioner Howard Limmer.
Scurry County Commissioners today voted unanimously to not re-introduce the animals into the park after Parks Department Director Larry Thompson informed commissioners of numerous new regulations regarding keeping and caring for them.
Thompson said he spoke with County Attorney Mike Hartman and discovered that the county would need five permits and a federal inspection, including permits from the Texas departments of health and parks and wildlife, as well as construct a new 6-foot fence around the perimeter of the town.
A veterinarian also would be required to give the animals a yearly physical.
Commissioners all agreed that the cost to taxpayers and the liability makes re-opening prairie dog town cost prohibitive.
"The kids enjoyed it when there was no cost to the county, but we need to use our tax dollars more wisely," said Precinct 3 Commissioner Howard Limmer.
