Coyote Killing M-44’s Still OK in Wyoming
The dog-killing incident in Wyoming continues to gain attention and the call for the ban of M-44’s in Wyoming, and nationwide.
Wyoming officials say that at any given time there are about 300 cyanide- propelling, coyote-killing M44s protruding from the soil in the Equality State, and that there’s no discussion being had about banning the devices.”
Wyoming officials say that at any given time there are about 300 cyanide- propelling, coyote-killing M44s protruding from the soil in the Equality State, and that there’s no discussion being had about banning the devices.
A national debate about the predator- killing device is unfolding in the wake of a hospitalized teenager and three dogs and a wolf that have been killed recently in Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon. On Monday the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services division announced it would discontinue using the spring-loaded poison in Idaho. But the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and state Wildlife Services office, at this stage, are not planning to follow suit.
“There hasn’t been any discussion [of a ban],” said Kent Drake, the Department of Agriculture’s predator management coordinator. “In the Wyoming case the applicator did nothing wrong.”
Wyoming Untrapped is advocating for the immediate discontinued use of M-44s in Wyoming. They are indiscriminate devices that are killing pets and wildlife, and endangering people. These lethal devices have no place in our state where children, pets and the public may come into contact with them. We will be working with many other partners to continue to educate the public about these unnecessary lethal devices and demand that the U.S.and Wyoming Department of Agriculture stop their use. Waiting until more pets, a child or adult is killed by these deadly devices is too late for action.
Read full article: Coyote-Killing M-44’s Still OK in Wyoming Jackson Hole News and Guide by Mike Koshmrl
State of Wyoming m-44 applicators manual
Photo courtesy of Amy Jo Helfrick. “Abby” was killed by an M-44 in Wyoming.