Ban Compound 1080/Sodium Cyanide (for Ocelots and Jaguarundis)
- by: Ruth McD
- recipient: Legislators, State Representatives, President Of The United States
Purpose: If passed this bill will effectively ban two of the most toxic and deadly wildlife poisons: sodium cyanide and Compound 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate). These poisons are used primarily by the U.S. Department of Agriculture%u2019s Wildlife Services program to kill coyotes, foxes, and other wild animals perceived as threats to livestock.
Status: Referred to House Judiciary Subcommittee and the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee
Action: SUPPORT Write to your Congressional representative and urge her or him to protect wildlife from cruel and dangerous poisons by supporting and co-sponsoring H.R. 5643, known as the Compound 1080 and Sodium Cyanide Elimination Act. Tell her or him that the federal government should not be allowed to continue its reckless poisoning of wildlife to benefit special interests, especially when many effective, cost-efficient and ecologically sound nonlethal alternatives exist.
Talking points for your letter:
- Compound 1080 has no known antidote and the FBI, EPA and World Health Organization classify it as an %u201Cextremely hazardous toxic pesticide.%u201D
- M-44s are spring-loaded, baited cyanide capsules that are planted just above the ground%u2019s surface. Sodium cyanide powder explodes upward into the mouth or face of whatever or whoever disturbs it.
- Companion animals and people have been killed and/or severely injured by accidentally triggering M-44s.
- Threatened and endangered species potentially affected by M-44 include California condors, San Joaquin kit foxes, jaguarundis, ocelots, gray wolves and grizzly bears.
- Nonlethal methods %u2014 including guard animals, such as dogs, llamas and donkeys; the use of fencing; sheltering animals at night; and improved husbandry practices %u2014 are just a few ways to protect livestock without killing wildlife. Nonlethal methods also allow wild animals to maintain their important roles in the ecosystem.
- Because of the dangers and cruelty associated with these poisons, citizens in California (1998) and Washington state (2000) passed ballot initiatives that ban M-44s, which contain sodium cyanide, and livestock protection collars containing Compound 1080.
Dear (Name of Representative):
I am writing to urge you to vote for and co-sponsor H.R. 5643, the Compound 1080 and Sodium Cyanide Elimination Act. This act will stop the reckless use of Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide, two of the most lethal poisons available. These two have been used to kill unwanted animals, but now there are far more humane and ecologically sound alternatives out there.
The problem with these two substances is that they are extremely lethal. In fact, the FBI, EPA, and the World Health Organization classify Compound 1080 as an "extremely hazardous toxic pesticide"; this pesticide also has no known antidote. As for sodium cyanide, it is commonly found in the form of spring-loaded capsules known as M-44s. These can easily be upset by anyone passing by, and pets and people have been injured and killed by triggering these capsules.
Besides accidentally hurting or causing the death of companion animals and humans, sodium cyanide (in the form of these M-44 capsules) and Compound 1080 also can harm or kill non-intended targets, including endangered or threatened species such as California condors, jaguarundis, and ocelots.
With alternatives out there, such as the use of fencing, guard animals, and better husbandry of farm animals, already the states of California and Washington have passed laws banning the use of sodium cyanide and Compound 1080. Therefore, with the best interests of both livestock and wildlife in mind, please co-sponsor and help pass the Compound 1080 and Sodium Cyanide Elimination Act. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your City, State, and Zip)
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