Stop Senseless Poisoning of Our Wildlife Public Comment Period Ending Nov. 22nd 2010!

Time is almost up to speak for coyotes and other wildlife regarding the use of two of the most deadly poisons on earth. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing the use of sodium fluoroacetate (also known as Compound 1080) and sodium cyanide for killing coyotes and other wildlife. More than 13,000 coyotes, foxes, and other wild animals were killed by these highly toxic poisons in 2009, as well as many non-target animals, including threatened and endangered species and family pets.

Send your message today to the EPA and urge them to end the use of Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide nationwide. We've provided talking points you may want to include below.

TO SUBMIT COMMENTS (Note: Comments must be received by Nov. 22, 2010 and your comments must be identified by the docket identification numbers EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0752 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0753).

Email: Click over to the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)
Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460–0001

Talking points:

• I am writing regarding EPA docket numbers EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0752 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0753 in support of prohibiting use of sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) and sodium cyanide.
• Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide are extremely dangerous and inhumane.
• Death by Compound 1080 is agonizing, excruciating, and slow (it usually takes between 3 and 15 hours). Exposure can result in cardiac failure, progressive failure of the central nervous system, or respiratory arrest following severe prolonged convulsions.
• Compound 1080 is one of the deadliest poisons on earth and has no antidote.
• The EPA classifies Compound 1080 as an “extremely hazardous” toxin that poses a significant hazard to human health and safety and to non-target wildlife.
• Compound 1080 is a potential terrorist threat to water and food supplies; according to its own records, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program cannot account for all the Compound 1080 it uses.
• In addition to these poisons' toll on wildlife, they put public safety at risk; hundreds of pet dogs are harmed or killed by sodium cyanide each year, and humans have also been severely injured by accidentally triggering M-44 sodium cyanide ejector devices or handling poisoned pets.
• Paradoxically, killing coyotes can increase their numbers by triggering breeding and larger litters.
• Rather than killing predators ranchers should make better use of good husbandry practices such as livestock guard animals, electronic sound and light devices, penning animals at night, lambing sheds, promptly removing any carcasses and fencing appropriately.
• Ethics aside, scientific research shows that it makes more economic sense to implement long-term predator deterrents rather than killing coyotes and other native carnivores.

Thank you for helping to end senseless poisoning of coyotes and other wildlife by Compound 1080 and Sodium Cyanide!

Camilla H. Fox
Executive Director

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Project Coyote is a non-profit fiscally sponsored project of Earth Island Institute that promotes educated coexistence between people and coyotes and advocates on behalf of coyotes and other native carnivores. We depend on our members and supporters to help us continue our work on behalf of America’s native “song dog.” Please join us today! All donations are tax-deductible. Visit us at www.ProjectCoyote.org.