New York: Protect Wildlife From Deadly Poisons
- by: Alicia Graef
- recipient: New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Environmental and conservation organizations are petitioning the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to ban the use of super-toxic rat poisons over concerns about the risks they pose to wildlife, pets and people.
The poisons they want to get out of the environment are known as second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) that aren't just inherently cruel, but don't always act quickly. Animals who eat the poison can have it accumulate in their systems and then become a highly toxic meal to other predators and scavengers.
According to the groups, SGARS have resulted in the deaths of at least 31 different wildlife species from over 225 lethal incidents in New York. In New York City alone, approximately 4250 rodenticide poisoning incidents occurred from 2000‐2010, with 79 percent of rodenticide poisonings occurring in children under six years of age.
Please sign the petition urging the DEC to ban the use of SGARs in New York.
As an animal lover and wildlife enthusiast, I was thrilled to learn that environmental and conservation organizations are petitioning your agency to ban the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in New York.
Not only are these poisons sickeningly inhumane, but they continue to pose a serious threat to non-target animals, pets and people.
According to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, these poisons are responsible for killing at least 31 different wildlife species from over 225 lethal incidents in New York. Unfortunately, target and non-target animals aren't the only ones suffering from the effects of these poisons. Pets, including cats and dogs, have also been involved and so have we.
The risks and consequences of using these poisons, especially when safer alternatives are available, make their continued use unacceptable.
I sincerely hope the DEC will take a stand for wildlife, pets and people by banning SGARS in New York.
