Editor:
Several progressive municipalities, including Victoria, the District of Saanich, Port Moody, the City of North Vancouver and Colwood have banned the use of rodenticides to kill rats and mice on city property. Several more, including Richmond and the District of West Vancouver are considering a ban. I have asked the City of Delta to follow suit, particularly in light of the fact that Delta is the home of the well-respected raptor rescue organization, Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL). I have also asked the city to ban the use of cruel glue-traps.
OWL has an excellent brochure on the subject, which can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.owlrehab.org/dangers/rat-poison/.
The poison commonly used to control rat populations is an anticoagulant. Animals who ingest it take several days to die, and in their weakened state are ingested by non-target wildlife such as owls, hawks and eagles, who in turn become ill and die. It is a horrible, slow and painful death by internal bleeding. Natural predators are the ideal solution, but if necessary there are several alternatives to toxic poisons, including quick-kill traps, ultrasonic repellers and exclusion measures. OWL points out that glue-traps are equally as cruel and are not an acceptable alternative, particularly since birds and small animals can be trapped.
Please join me! Email Mayor George Harvie and Councillors at the City of Delta at: [email protected] to urge the City to take action.
Debra Probert
