Victims Of Poisons - 2 Different Stories

Rat Poison Found in Almost 80% Of Eagles Across US

​www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/09/american-eagles-rat-poison-study

A new study from the University of Georgia found that nearly 80% of bald and golden eagle carcasses discovered across the United States were found to have rodenticides in their system. Whether it was the rodenticides that ended their lives or not, it is abundantly clear that these birds of prey are inadvertently being targeted by rat poisons. It's quite easy for them to come in to contact with these poisons as rats & mice are always on the menu for eagles. If a rat had consumed these rodenticides, it can sometimes take hours or even days to finally kill them depending on the level of consumption. This leaves them incredibly susceptible to being hunted by eagles, hence the transmission of rodenticides.

If an eagle were to consume a rat that had ingested enough of these poisons, the eagle would undoubtedly feel the effects of these rodenticides. These effects include bleeding internally or externally, bruising, bloody urine or feces, or death from cardiovascular shock. Whether a species feels one or all of these ill effects, the result is agonizing, painful, and torturous. There is absolutely no argument in defense of rodenticides to manage rodent populations.

As this story proves, these rodenticides are so indiscriminate in their targets and can poison a variety of species which can include young children who come in to contact with them. They are unsafe, environmentally destructive, and ineffective in their management of rodents. These poisons do not belong in our environment and innocent non-target animals should not have to endure hours or days of agonizing pain before dying. 

There is only one option here and it is to ban rodenticides across the United States in favour of other methods . We cannot keep killing eagles, foxes, coyotes, wolves, and bobcats because we're trying to kill rats. It's unbelievably irresponsible and as mentioned, environmentally destructive.

Dozens of Swans Found Dead Around Michigan Lake - Suspected Poisoning

​www.mlive.com/news/2021/04/dozens-of-swans-found-dead-around-michigan-lake-poisoning-suspected.html

Dozens of swans have been found dead around Lake Michigan in the United States and officials suspect that the birds were intentionally poisoned. Officials believe that the birds came into contact with antifreeze, leading them to believe that humans were the culprit. If the autopsies show that antifreeze was involved, misdemeanor charges could be brought against those charged & convicted. 

Despite mute swans being considered an aggressive and invasive species, it is still illegal in Michigan to move or kill them without a permit. Whomever did this, did so because they could and didn't fear repercussions.

Animal cruelty MUST be taken more seriously across the globe. Fines are nothing more than a slap on the wrist, especially in the case of these swans who likely endured grueling pain as the poisons coursed through their systems, ultimately leading to their death. When you consider the malicious nature of this crime, the only option is jail time. How does a fine justify the loss of dozens of lives lost under such despicable circumstances?

PETA has offered a $5, 000 rewards for information that leads to an arrest and officials in Michigan are currently awaiting autopsy results before pursuing further action. As I said, this sort of a crime is malicious in nature, intentional, and premeditated. We cannot allow this sort of crime against living creatures to be punished with fines. This magnitude of loss can only be punished with prison, otherwise, what has anyone learned here? What they learn is that they just got away with poisoning dozens of innocent mute swans and all they'll get is a slap on the wrist.

Animal cruelty needs to be treated as seriously as it is, especially in a case like this that is so malicious and intentional. An example must be set that going out of your way to poison and watch innocent animals die for fun is wholly unacceptable and deserved of jail time.

I'll update y'all with more information as it becomes available.

HAPPY VEG