Help Us Ban M-44 Cyanide Devices

 

Progress to Date

March 20, 2012 - Our legislation was re-introduced in Congress. DETAILS

June 30, 2010 - Our legislation was introduced in Congress with bipartisan support. It stalled.

May 2010 - The following essay describes efforts to date in our ongoing quest to ban M-44 devices:

• Read our esssay, "Two Killers that Need to Go," about M-44s, the deadly Compound 1080 poison, and legislation currently in the works to ban both
  
  

January 2008 - Asserting a cover-up, Predator Defense has compelled the EPA to launch a formal investigation into human poisoning by an M-44, a device the USDA's Wildlife Services uses across the country:

• Read press release
• Men's Journal article - "America's Secret War on Wildlife: A federal agency keeps the West safe for cows by killing coyotes, wolves, bears--and pet dogs" - by Christopher Ketcham, January 2008
• The Salt Lake Tribune article - "EPA investigates Utahn's poisoning--4 years after device shot cyanide in his face" - by Patty Henetz, January 18, 2008
• Associated Press article - "Predator poison under review " - by Matthew Daly, January 21, 2008
• The Salt Lake Tribune editorial - "Sayonara cyanide: Poison land mines should be banned" - by Tribune editorial staff, January 22, 2008
• New bill introduced in Congress would eliminate M-44s
  
  

September 2007 - Predator Defense calls on EPA demanding an investigation of human poisoning by an M-44 and an immediate moratorium on M-44s. Predator Defense suspects USDA Wildlife Services cover-up of human poisoning:

• Read press release
• Letter to Environmental Protection Agency

What Are M-44s?

M-44 devices are spring-activated sodium cyanide ejectors that deliver a deadly dose of this poison when an animal pulls up on it. The animal can die within minutes or linger over a long period of time.

To set up an M-44 device, a small pipe is driven into the ground and then loaded with the ejector and a sodium cyanide capsule. The top of the ejector is wrapped with an absorbent material that has been coated with a substance that attracts canines.

When an animal pulls on this material, a spring ejects the sodium cyanide into the animal’s mouth and face. The force of the ejector can spray the cyanide granules up to five feet.

Predator Defense has been pressing for a national ban on the lethal M-44 sodium cyanide ejector (also known as “coyote getters”) since 1994 when Amanda Wood-Kingsley contacted Predator Defense for help after she and her dog Ruby were poisoned by an M-44.

Predator Defense is working with Congressman Peter DeFazio’s staff to develop a bill to completely ban M-44’s. Congressman DeFazio is acutely aware of the threat that M-44’s pose to pets, people, and wildlife. We consistently relay personal accounts to him of poisonings that occur across the country.

Victims of M-44s support Predator Defense’s efforts to ban these devices nationwide. The following letters and a report on a Predator Defense field investigation of another dog poisoning provide dramatic testimony of the horrific consequences of M-44 use.

Federal Statistics

• Animal Deaths from M-44s & Compound 1080 in 2010
• Animal Deaths from M-44s, 2003-2008
  

Wildlife Services Warning Signs & Directives

Predator Defense investigations have repeatedly found a lack of warning signs on M-44s, despite the following federal directive on M-44 Device Use and Signage:

23. Bilingual warning signs in English and Spanish shall be used in all areas containing M-44 devices. All such signs shall be removed when M-44 devices are removed.

a. Main entrances or commonly used access points to areas in which M-44 devices are set shall be posted with warning signs to alert the public to the toxic nature of the cyanide and to the danger to pets. Signs shall be inspected weekly to ensure their continued presence and to ensure that they are conspicuous and legible. An elevated sign shall be placed within 25 feet of each individual M-44 device warning persons not to handle the device.

Excerpted from USDA APHIS ADC (Wildlife Services) Directive, M-44 Cyanide Capsules, M-44 Use Restrictions, EPA Registration No. 56228-15

EPA's Use Restrictions for M-44s

Wildlife Services' Directive for M-44 Use & Restrictions

USDA Precautionary Statements for People Handling M-44s

Read the first document
Read the second document

Victim Stories

The letters below were written to Congressman Peter DeFazio (Oregon), requesting a complete ban on the deadly M-44. The cases are strikingly different, but each had tragic results.

• Dennis Slaugh's Run-in with an M-44 - letter from Dennis | picture of Dennis | picture of M-44
• Max's Tragic Death - letter to Congress from Max's owner | picture of Max | article in Salt Lake Tribune | Wildlife Services' contemptible denials (memo)
• The Poisoning of Amanda and Her Dog Ruby - letter to Congress from Amanda | picture of Amanda and Ruby
• Buddy's Death...100 Yards from Home - article about Buddy's tragic death | picture of Buddy | statement by Congressman Peter DeFazio about case
• Utah Hunter Loses His Dog Jenna in 90 Seconds - article about Jenna's tragic death
• Texas Rancher Who Survived Blast Supports Bill to Ban M-44s - read his story

The article below relates even more families' tragic losses: their dogs died from M-44 poisoning from traps set by Wildlife Services on their own private land.

• Poison Traps Kill Unintended Victims - High Country News, March 13, 2000
• Tough Lesson: Pet owner learns hard way that SW Va. farmers are using cyanide coyote traps - Kingsport Times-News, May 17, 1999