Utah residents ask Supreme Court to hear prairie dog case
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Residents in southern Utah asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to hear their case claiming federal safeguards for Utah prairie dogs have prevented them from doing what they want with their private property.
The rules block residents from building homes, starting businesses and even protecting playgrounds, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Property Owners argue in their case.
"Some own lots in residential subdivisions where they planned to build homes, but prairie dogs moved in first and the regulation forbids permits for their property," attorneys wrote.
The group wants the high court to review a March decision by the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that sided with the U.S.