There is a battle going on in Utah between humans and prairie dogs, and right now, the dogs are winning. Thanks to their endangered species statues, prairie dogs are protected in Utah, and officials in some communities are at a loss for how to control them.

The City Council in Parowan City says prairie dogs tunneling under the airport runway caused thousands of dollars in damage. On a recent visit the governor landed at another city so he wouldn’t hit a prairie dog hole. Prairie dogs also invaded the cemetary at Paragonah and dug into coffins. Municipal officials are asking the state legislature to let them fight back.