Prairie Dogs Carry the Bubonic Plague? What?! - Lovett or Leave It

[TexasTowelie]

From Boulder, Colorado, David Gborie joins Lovett to explore Celestial Seasonings’ ancient war against prairie dogs.

[hlthe2b]

1. Infected FLEAS carry plague and THEY infect prairie dogs (but also other mammals including squirrels)

and can then infect cats, dogs or humans that come into contact with either infected fleas or infected animals.

Plague rapidly kills off the unfortunate little prairie dogs if they are infected-- that is if some a'hole human does not do the vilest thing possible like burning, flooding, burying or throwing cyanide in their burrows--all of which is illegal in most areas.


I am a prairie dog advocate for humane control, and relocation when possible, allowing them to restore habitat to the ecologically healthy areas they were 100-150 years ago, which YES, INCLUDED the role of prairie dogs. Ignorant people who move to the West from areas where they think they are no different than moles, or groundhogs destined to take over their manicured water-hogging yards ignorantly advocate for their destruction. I don't know if this so-called 'funny" video is like that (I hope not, but I can't watch it right now) but please don't add to the problem.

[TexasTowelie]

2. We've known each other long enough that I'm not going to lead you on and say the skit presented a rosy outlook

about prairie dogs. The video does wrongly assign blame to prairie dogs for the bubonic plague and other harm such as horses breaking legs when stepping into prairie dog holes. The skit also discusses the inhumane ways people use to eliminate prairie dogs ranging from teenagers with pellet guns to using poison.

However, I believe that reasonable people can correctly distinguish the context between humor and advocacy for the elimination of prairie dogs or their habitat. People might be more wary about how they interact with prairie dogs which could lead to a positive outcome where humans are less intrusive of the prairie dog ecosystem.

With those considerations in mind you may not want to watch the video. There is plenty of other discussion about life in Colorado that made me laugh so please let me state that I didn't intend to offend anyone and I also commend your advocacy for the humane control of prairie dogs.

[hlthe2b]

3. Thank you for your reply...

I think I will refrain, but your sincere response is appreciated.

BTW, the horse/cow stepping in a burrow and breaking their leg is an old canard as old as the West. Unless cattle are being stampeded that is not going to happen--they merely walk around-- and horses likewise watch where they place their hooves. They do however risk such trauma from rocky, mountainous terrain and lose soil from migrating tree stumps--something that they can't anticipate--especially if being irresponsibly ridden. But, it has been an excuse repeated over and over and over to justify eradicating prairie dogs for as long as I (or my grandparents/relatives) have lived in the West so I'm not surprised it was once again repeated on the video.