Reader comments
Poisoning in Utah intensifies efforts for a national ban

For years I had been warned not to touch those devices, but I never knew what they looked like. During a hike in the middle of no where, I came across a small pipe in the ground. I picked it up and examined it before I realized what it was. It could have been me, but it had already discharged. I'm no environmentalist nor coyote lover, but we need to get rid of those things! It can easily be you!

How about a "universal symbol" for "do not touch" printed all over this device? Maybe a hand in the circle with a slash through it? Like traffic symbols?

Mr. Slaugh's incident happened 5 years ago, and "He has difficulty breathing, vomits almost daily" still !!!
This poor man!
They have got to get rid of these things.

I would support the removal of these types of devices based upon the risk to humans and domestic animals alone, however it shouldn't be done in the name of reducing predatory control efforts. The one environmental group cited in the story has a goal of protecting coyotes and other predators. If the govt. bans these devices, they had better pave the way for other forms of predator control such as hunting from planes.

I find it interesting that a poison so lethal with no know cure is out in our wilderness areas in the first place. If the sheep and cattle farmers have so many issues with predators then perhaps the goverment could use it's "immense" resources to find another humane way to solve the problem without endangering the public. To the comment of placing warning signs on the device or even signage in the area, when was the last time you were with a child who has not yet learned to read? I guarantee the first incident when one of these devices harms or kills a child the whole nation will be aware of this ridiculous practice. I really feel awful for the man who had one of these devices explode on him.

These devices are simply unacceptable on public lands!

These devices are deadly. I`ve seen steel traps, snares and poison on public property for years.If I come onto a trap or snare, I take them home, smash them with a hammer and throw them in the trash. The use of these devises are dangerous and barbaric. I`ve lost a couple of dogs to this stuff. Many times these contraptions of death are used illegally. Contact your representitive and demand these deadly materials be removed from public property.

I don't have a problem with cattle grazing on public lands. In fact I think it preserves a vital part of our history, but maybe it is time to rethink grazing on public lands if rancher's margins are so razor thin that things like this have to be used.

As for "hunting" from planes, that didn't go over so well in the uninhabited wilds of Alaska. I don't know why anyone would think that it would fly in the much more populated Western states.

No labeling?! It doesn't appear to even display a poison symbol or wording such as, "CYANIDE, EXPLOSIVE, DON'T TOUCH". Sheer idiocy.

How come government officials are not putting together a sportsman's coalition to deal with the predator problem rather than injecting potentially harmful poisons into the environment? Any of you varmint hunters ever gotten a call from one of Uncle Sam's agents saying "Hey, Joe, give us a hand here?"

People need only to read the warnings posted on the land where these devices are used to prevent injury to themselves or their pets. The warnings are on the land as well as published on the government websites and proclamations. They are required tools in the fight against predators. Eliminating them would only serve to increase predator population and the damage they do.

Man is the only animal who poisons his own drinking water.

That poor man could have been me too. I've never heard of these things until I read this story, if I happened upon one, I might touch it out of curiosity too. And heaven help the poor child who stumbles upon one of these things when a parent's back is turned for a second. Parents often take their children out in the wilderness for camping and all terrain vehicle fun. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed.

I'd like to see the data to back up this claim:

"livestock losses from coyotes and other wildlife could be two to three times higher than current levels � estimated at $16.3 million per year in the sheep industry and $51 million in cattle losses..."

Moreover, I'll bet $51 million is a drop in the bucket compared to overall gross sales of the cattle industry.

A cost/benefit analysis would probably not support the use of these things. But then again, a cost/benefit analysis would probably not support raising cattle in the desert (without government welfare). I say it's time we get the ranchers off government cheese.

I have seen these devices many times. Each of the ones I have seen have warnings right on it. I don't know why anyone would touch them even if they didn't see the warning signs, although I don't know how he missed them. I think he was very irresponsible. I can't think of any survey sign or anything like it that I would touch

yes folks, what ever tickles your fancy. then you can be as china and pay twenty dollars just for the meat on your night out.

I've lived in Utah for 5 years and never before heard of these, though I have heard of dogs getting stuck in leg hold traps near trails. How about the courtesy of at least warning tourists and newcomers?

Isn't this a perfect example of when a LAWSUIT is called for?
They are damn lucky it didn't happen to someone who understands the VALUE of a VALID lawsuit that protects others from having the same terrible disaster happen to them.

You can damn sure count on me calling Jerry Spence to sue the US gub'mint over something like this.

The devices are a necessity and warning signs are posted so the man does not have an excuse! I don't understand why people think they have the right to steal, meddle with, or destroy things that are located on private property, Forrest Service, or BLM land. If they can't leave things alone then stay off the land or suffer the consequences. I have known of people that work at cyanide production plants that have been in contact with cyanide gas and they did not suffer any after effects (they passed out and were rescued). I think the person is crying wolf to try to get some money!

It is required that each of these devices also have 2 signs that are 8 1/2" x 11" posted within so many feet of the poison along with one near the enterance of the property. They are red with the poison symbol on them along with further information in English and Spanish. It is VERY obvious that they are poisonous devices from the signage around them! They are a necessity to livestock owners!