LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have postponed a vote on bill that would prevent counties from killing black-tailed prairie dogs when residents complain about the animals on their property.

Lawmakers adjourned for the week on Thursday without taking action. Sen. Al Davis, a rancher from Hyannis, is trying to kill the measure.

The 2012 law gives counties the power to adopt management programs to keep them from spreading.

Advocates say the animals are an important native species and the current law infringes on private property rights. Opponents say counties have the right to intervene because prairie dogs ravage ranchland by digging holes that can injure cattle and damage equipment.

Sen. Galen Hadley, the speaker of the Legislature, says debate on the bill will continue early next week.