The need for improved safeguards

However, there are times when it seems the government – which can sometimes be too quick to add rules to how we conduct ourselves – fails to step in when it makes sense.

The perfect example is pesticides. While Ontario revisits the use of cosmetic pesticides, potentially lethal rodenticides are still sold with little or no controls. It’s the lack of oversight that may have led to the death of Fallingbrook resident Joëlle Lefebvre’s 11-year-old cocker spaniel this past summer.

While toxicology tests were never performed to confirm how Belle died, the veterinarian caring for the dog indicated the symptoms were consistent with the new generation of anti-coagulant rodenticides, which are long-acting rat poisons.

The vet went on to say that he sees a few cases of poisoning each year.

Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment notes that current standards seem to work well, although they admit there have been some cases in the past where a child or domestic pet has been able to access the poison.

If there have been cases in past then that suggests there might be a problem, especially since the ministry can only speak to cases that have been reported.

One vet says he sees a few cases each year. How many of those go unreported because the pet owner doesn’t know where to begin? Or how many are based on symptoms alone and can’t be backed by toxicology tests so they don’t count?

Even if there are a few cases, that’s enough to raise the red flag. It just takes one child to be poisoned before everyone demands to know why something more wasn’t done sooner. After all, if rat poison can kill a 30-pound dog, what does that mean when it comes to children’s safety?

Under Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) regulations, rodenticides are required to be put in locked box stations so children and other animals are not put at risk. The problem is that these regulations presume the consumers will be responsible enough to read the labels, purchase both the poison and lock stations, and follow the rules.

This isn’t to suggest consumers are deliberately putting pets and children at risk. Many probably want to do what’s safe, but the system has become overly complicated. There’s an unfortunate assumption that if rodenticides are readily available in a particular form, then it’s safe to put them out. Presumably everything that’s needed comes in the box.

Why not just simplify the exercise and force manufacturers to sell the bait already in the lock stations? It would solve a number of problems at once. For starters, it would ensure everyone is abiding by the regulations. It would make for safer use of poisons. And it would be more convenient for consumers.

The United States already requires manufacturers to sell most rodenticides in pre-baited lock stations for domestic use. Obviously businesses are already accustomed to meeting those rules, so to hold them to the same standard in Canada shouldn’t be that difficult.

It’s not about asking for better protection; it’s about demanding of government why it has been so lax when it comes to ensuring regulations are met.