NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — The North Platte City Council has approved a plan to eradicate pigeons and the health and sanitation problems they present.

On Tuesday, the council approved an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Health Inspection Service that includes use of a toxicant and trapping and shooting some of the birds.

Officials say the toxicant does not stay toxic after the birds die, so people or pets that come in contact with the carcasses are not in any danger.

There are an estimated 4,000 pigeons in the city. A USDA official says the city’s anti-pigeon plan can reduce that population by 90 percent.