Donna Dow: Rat poison is killing our well-known Granite State wildlife

To The Daily Sun,

A mouse eats rat poison and staggers away. An owl or prey catches it, consuming the poison too. Wildlife suffers horribly and bleeds out before dying from this preventable poisoning in our woods, backyards and neighborhoods.

UNH necropsies found that 34 of 35 red foxes, gray foxes and fishers tested across New Hampshire had been exposed to rodenticides. Wildlife rescues across New England treat hundreds of poisoned raptors, foxes, and coyotes. Our pets are also at risk.

These poisons are cruel, unnecessary, and still legal. We must protect our wildlife, as they cannot speak for themselves.

The NH Pesticide Control Board has unanimously approved draft rules restricting second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) to licensed dealers and applicators. The draft also curbs some neonicotinoid insecticides, which are driving declines in bees, pollinators and birds.

But a draft is not a law. Public participation can make a difference.

The public hearing is Monday, Nov. 16, at 9:30 a.m., at the Brown Building, 129 Pleasant Street, Concord. Can’t attend? Email comments to david.j.rousseau@agr.nh.gov by Tuesday, Nov. 24, citing Chapter Pes 700.

We can act today: seal gaps, secure trash and pet food, and clean up spilled birdseed. Consider alternatives to poison-Contrapest (fertility), which contains non-hormone-based ingredients.

Eagles, owls, foxes, and fishers cannot testify. We can. Please show up, speak up, and be their voice on Nov. 16.

Donna Dow

Moultonborough