Do not let corporations kill our children, pets, and wildlife with poison

Call the American Association of Poison Control Centers if you suspect that your child or pet may have ingested rat poison.

1 (800) 222-1222

www.aapc.org

Inspired by an article of how two bald eagles, America's majestic and endangered national bird, have been killed by rat poison, this petition is designed to urge law makers to ban the use of rodenticides or to create heavier regulations on the production and distribution of said poison nation wide.

Rodenticides are a lethal family of chemicals that act as anticoagulants. This effect is achieved through the hampering of Vitamin K synthesis, thus suppressing the blood-clotting abilities of those affected. These poisons also cause capillaries throughout the body to become highly permiable, leaving the animal more prone to hemorrhaging. The poisoned mammal will begin to feel the effects of the poisoning within one to three days; a week or so later, a slow death via profuse bleeding spells the end of the victim.

Two types of rodenticides exist: first generation anticoagulants, and second generation anticoagulants. The first generation of warfarins are the most commonly used, but overuse has rendered it useless by pests which have adapted a resistance to it. Second generation warfarins, also known as super warfarins, have a higher potency than it's older version. This stronger concoction brings a swifter death to pests, but is much more dangerous for larger animals, including humans.

Intended to control the populations of mammalian pests - such as rats, mice, gophers, muskrats, etc. - the major consequence of using this sometimes ineffective method can lead to the accidental exposure of small children, pets, and wildlife. Treatment is costly and lengthy, and there is nothing more tormenting than wondering if your baby will survive and thinking that their illness is somehow your fault. Wildlife don't have such luxuries as medical care and usually suffer a long, drawn out death if poisoned. Stray and feral dogs and cats, birds-of-prey, and scavengers are at the highest risk within city limits. These creatures naturally limit pest communities and remove carcasses before they begin to rot. Without them, our neighborhoods would be deplorable.

The quickest fix is not always the best option. We must take great care to create a safe environment for the ones we love and for our community. There are other, safer, more cost-effective and humane ways to control pests. Please sign this petition to ban the production and use of rodenticides or, at the very least, enforce stricter regulations on the production and distribution.

References:

http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ID=9BFF55DD-E55D-025D-6D92FBF66296DD26

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/rodenticides.html

http://www2.epa.gov/rodenticides



http://www.audubon.org/magazine/january-february-2013/poisons-used-kill-rodents-have-safer

Special thanks to Pet Informed Veterinary Advice Online, whom I borrowed the picture from.

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/rodent-poison.html