80-1202. Eradication of prairie dogs; duties of township trustees; entry upon land, exceptions; assessment of costs. In addition to the duties now prescribed by law for township trustees, in counties infested by prairie dogs, they may do and perform the following services: That the township trustees of the several townships in this state infested by prairie dogs may enter upon the lands so infested in their respective townships and make diligent efforts to exterminate all prairie dogs thereon. For the purpose of enabling them to carry into effect the provisions of this act, the trustees are authorized and empowered to employ all such assistance and to purchase the poison or such appliances and material as they may deem necessary to exterminate such dogs. The work of such extermination shall all be done under the supervision and direction of the trustees: Provided, That in any county having a population of more than four thousand (4,000) and less than five thousand two hundred (5,200) which contains no city of the second class and not more than two (2) cities of the third class, the trustees shall before entering upon the lands give written notice to any landowner who shall fail or refuse to make use of the materials offered or provided, that unless he or she endeavors to control such prairie dogs according to the methods prescribed by the board of trustees will, within fifteen (15) days after the date specified in the notice enter upon his or her land and use the necessary materials to eradicate the prairie dogs thereon; and the trustees or their agents, may thereafter enter upon the land and proceed to eradicate such prairie dogs.

After eradication of such prairie dogs, the trustees shall immediately notify the landowner or landowners with an itemized statement of the costs thereof, and stating that unless such amount is paid within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, that the amount shall become a lien upon their real estate. If such costs are not paid within thirty (30) days they shall be assessed against the property of the landowner and the township clerk shall, at the time of certifying other township taxes to the county clerk, certify the costs of such eradication and the county clerk shall extend the same on the tax roll of the township against such property and said costs shall be collected by the county treasurer and paid to the township as other township taxes are collected and paid.

History: L. 1909, ch. 181, § 1; L. 1919, ch. 315, § 1; R.S. 1923, 80-1202; L. 1965, ch. 548, § 2; L. 1969, ch. 472, § 1; L. 1972, ch. 384, § 1; March 20.