
Associated Press - October 27, 2009 5:15 PM ET
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Arizona wildlife officials are investigating the shooting death of a prairie dog in southern Arizona.
State Game and Fish Department officials say an Oro Valley deer hunter is suspected of killing the black-tailed prairie dog Friday in a U.S. Bureau of Land Management area east of Sonoita that's off limits to prairie dog hunting.
The hunter has not been cited pending completion of the investigation. Authorities say a citation for taking wildlife from a closed area has a maximum penalty of 4 months in prison and a $750 fine,
The prairie dog was 1 of more than 100 transported from New Mexico in October 2008 in hopes of reintroducing the indigenous species to southern Arizona.
Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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