Prairie Dogs To Be Killed For Church Parking Lot

LITTLETON, Colo. -- A Littleton church's plans to expand could mean the death of dozens of prairie dogs.

Last week, mounds of dirt were dumped in the field behind the Rock of the Southwest Church in preparation for plans to build a temporary parking lot. The dirt now fills the holes of several prairie dogs' homes and many fear several of the animals are already dead.

"When me and my sister went over there, we found like 100 prairie dog holes filled with dirt and we are guessing prairie dogs were in there. I am really disappointed," said second-grader Delaney Peterson.

Peterson and her sister, along with several other Westridge community members, said they are very concerned with the church's indifference toward the neighborhood's wildlife.

"They're just looking at what they can do to get more people into their church," said Jamie Brantley.

"It's for their benefit. It's not a church, it's an organization," added Brynne O'Banion.

Neighbors plan to protest the church Sunday during the 8:20 a.m. service.

The church said they are sorry their neighbors are upset but said relocation efforts have failed despite their work since May to find the animals a new home.

Tim Price, the church's director of administration, said they have not been able to find any place that would take the animals. He said they are building a youth center and need the field for extra parking.

He said if a piece of land is not found soon they will be forced to "humanely euthanize" the animals.

"The congregation would much rather have found a better solution ... but we're more committed to the youth of the community and building the youth center than the prairie dogs," said Price.