Northern Cyprus and Lannate Poisoning

of animals

The recent publication of an article submitted by the  Roots Ramblers about a case of indiscriminate spreading of poisoned bait on a walking trail in a tourist area and the non fatal poisoning of one of their dogs, and subsequent safety advice article that was published, received massive readings on our website and lots of comments and questions about the dangers of poisoning in the social media where our article links were placed.

We have now received the following letter and notes from Ian Jefferson which hopefully bring to not only our readers but also the various organisations who can do something about this major issue of the mis-use of poison.

To read these previous articles by the Roots Ramblers please click here or click here for suggestions offered in response to the many questions asked by readers.

Note: The above picture is of a poisoned dog found in Famagusta and posted by Yeliz Osman Cin in the Hope 4 Pets Facebook page.

To Chris Elliott, http://www.cyprusscene.com

Dear Chris,

I saw that you had written something on lannate poisoning on your website. I attach a note which I had also prepared.

Since last week another Roots Rambler has had his dog poisoned, this time fatally, by someone who had scattered poison around indiscriminately in a housing estate, can you believe, killing also wild foxes.

This is a scourge that is easily stopped by proper control of agricultural poisons. One has to ask why the government does nothing about it.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Jefferson

The poison Lannate

“Lannate” is a trade name of a pesticide manufactured by DuPont chemicals. It is extremely harmful to humans, animals, birds and aquatic life as well as to insects. In the European Union and North America it is rated in the top category of toxic substances and its sale and use is tightly regulated. In Third World countries, where its sale and use is not properly regulated, it causes widespread unintended destruction to wildlife and is the poison of choice amongst the 200,000 or so peasant workers who commit suicide each year.

2.5 g of Lannate, equivalent to one small sugar-lump, is enough to kill 100 Bonelli’s eagles, or 2000 blackbirds, or 6 medium-sized dogs, or 3 children or 1 large man. Because it dissolves easily in water it will also wipe out all life in a pond.

Lannate is a nerve poison which results in the loss of use of muscles leading either to asphyxiation, when breathing stops, or heart failure. Symptoms include blurred vision, loss of use of arms and legs, loss of control over bowels and difficulty in breathing often indicated by foaming at the mouth. Of course, these symptoms are not unique to Lannate. A large dose can lead to death in just a few minutes.

Salt water or carbon tablets can be used to induce vomiting in order to eject as much of the poison as possible. An injection of Atropine helps to counteract the action of Lannate and may buy enough time to enable the pet or person to get proper treatment. Atropine itself is also a poison so care needs to be taken to ensure that the dose given is appropriate to the size of the animal and the amount of poison it has consumed. Your vet will be able to recommend a suitable dosage for your pet. If the animal can survive the first few hours of poisoning it should make a full recovery within a day to 36 hours.

The proper use of pesticides in agriculture is fully justified and should not harm animal, bird or human health. There is little justification for its use to kill vermin, foxes or similar nuisances even if the bait is properly placed in order that it is eaten only by the intended target. This is because their carcasses will be eaten by carrion birds, foxes or dogs who will suffer secondary poisoning. There are good alternative methods of vermin elimination without the collateral damage.

In the control of Lannate and similar substances, North Cyprus falls into the category of a Third World country but even here there are laws against the indiscriminate use of poisons. However, the authorities seem to have no interest in enforcing them or to control the use of poisons in order to protect the public or what little there is left of the natural wildlife. For many Cypriots it doesn’t seem to matter how many creatures are unnecessarily and cruelly killed just to protect a few chickens or to have a good night’s sleep.

Editor’s Note

“The opinions, advice or proposals within the article are purely those of the author and do not, in any way, represent those of Cyprusscene.com”