SWAMPSCOTT — Founder of the nonprofit Speak Up For Animals Deb Newman came before the Select Board during its meeting Tuesday evening to speak on the dangers rodenticides pose to wildlife in the area.
Speak Up For Animals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to advocate for the welfare and protection of wildlife and companion animals in Massachusetts, according to its website. The organization engages in educational activities, including events and campaigns to increase the public’s awareness of animal issues, and collaborates with other municipalities’ committees, boards, commissions, departments, and nonprofit entities to protect the habitats and well-being of animals.
“Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) cause a grizzly death by disrupting vitamin K’s recycling in the bodies,” Newman said. “An animal who ingests them will bleed out in a few days.”
She noted that Massachusetts municipalities have no jurisdiction to regulate rodenticides through local laws.
“But they can control application on public properties by policy. This should include a complete ban on certain poisons, especially SGARs,” she said. “Even more important is setting the example for and educating residents, restaurant owners, and managers of condo complexes to stop using SGARs, and try lower-risk alternatives.”
It was also mentioned in her presentation that non-target wildlife (squirrels, chipmunks, and muskrats) can be drawn to rodenticides. The problem, then, is that larger animals like hawks and owls prey on rodents infected by SGARs, and also become poisoned.
Scavenger animals such as eagles, vultures, and possums can also become infected when they consume the carcasses of animals killed by the SGARs, and when bait isn’t properly contained, more animals like dogs and outdoor cats run the risk of being affected.
“During the beginning of the year, I was told that Swampscott stopped using SGARs on public property, and that we don’t need an official policy to ban them, because the few people in charge of rodent management have agreed to stop using SGARs,” Newman said. “We need a real policy that anyone can understand and follow.”
Newman elaborated on how the biggest attractant for rodents is trash and other food sources. She presented two images: opened trash barrels outside the Hadley School, and closed barrels behind the fire station.
“Although they look neat and clean, one firefighter told me the barrels regularly need replacement because rats keep chewing through them,” she said. “If they must go into the bin, maybe we can invest some rat-proof barrels — which do exist — or keep the barrels inside the building until they’re picked up.”
She also touched upon two different alternatives the town could explore. The first was Owltra, an electronic box that traps and zaps mice humanely, according to its website. The other was Contrapest, a birth control for rats that comes in the form of a liquid rat bait contraceptive used to help control the population of the species.
After the presentation, Newman was asked by Select Board Vice Chair Doug Thompson what she would like to see happen next. Newman reiterated the need for a policy to better outline the issue and help residents understand the situation.
“That would be the first thing, to have an actual policy so there’s not a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ … and I would really like to see if there’s money in the budget — and it wouldn’t cost a lot — to do a pilot-program at Fisherman’s Beach, and see what happens,” Newman said. She also noted that Contrapest can take months to have an affect.
Newman spoke with The Item on Wednesday and expressed her thoughts on the presentation and the board’s reception to it.
“I’m pleased that the select board seemed receptive to the whole idea, and the suggestion to get in touch with Jeff Vaugh, the health director, and I’m hoping he and I can collaborate on a policy for rodenticides and Contrapest, as well as a pilot program,” Newman said.
