HB 3451 Don't Poison Texas

Texas Hog Hunters Association

Apr 1, 2017 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 1, 2017
CONTACT:
Eydin Hansen
President
Don’t Poison Texas
(801) 499 7344

H.B. 3451, by Rep. Stucky, supported by “Don’t Poison Texas” coalition, Receives 9-0 Vote from House Public Health Committee

[AUSTIN] The Public Health Committee of the Texas House of Representatives has voted 9-0 (with two members absent) to move H.B. 3451 to consideration of the full House. This legislation would require valid and independent scientific study before rat poison or any other toxic pesticide is spread across Texas lands for use on feral hogs. 124 members of the House have now signed onto the Bill as authors or coauthors.

House author, Representative Lynn Stucky (R-Denton), issued the following statement:

“We are very pleased to have this unanimous vote in the Public Health Committee. This bill has overwhelming support in the House of Representatives with 124 members of the House signed on as authors or coauthors. We are looking forward to a quick, overwhelming vote on the House floor.

All of us want the strongest possible steps to control feral hogs in Texas, but using a poison like warfarin that has never been subjected to an independent scientific study in Texas for use on feral hogs is the wrong way to go. We should study first, before poisoning.

Veterinarians frequently treat animals that have been poisoned by warfarin-based poisons, and we see the damage it can cause, including massive internal hemorrhaging and excruciating pain for the poisoned dog or other animal.
In short, these are serious issues that require serious study in the real-world conditions of Texas. That hasn’t happened, but this bill will make sure that it does, in order to protect humans, pets, livestock, wildlife, and Texas lands.”

Representative Stucky is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a licensed veterinarian. The 3,700-member Texas Veterinary Medical Association supports the legislation.
The label on the warfarin-based poison in issue (Kaput®) states, among other things: “Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Keep away from humans, domestic animals and pets. This product may be toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife. Dogs and other predatory and scavenging mammals and birds might be poisoned if they feed upon animals that have eaten the bait.”
Scott Dover, President of Texas Hog Hunters Association, said that “It is well known that feral hogs can travel over 5 miles a day. Thus, hogs poisoned on one ranch can die on another ranch miles away. We do not want ranches to unnecessarily become involuntary graveyards for poisoned feral hogs. But if poison is used, hunters and trappers won’t kill or trap hogs—we’ll end up with more hogs, not less, in Texas. We hope that these bills pass quickly.”
Lynn Cuny of Texas Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation added: “This poison has never been tested on most species in Texas. But we do know that its effects vary widely from species to species. We should have independent, scientific studies before it is used across Texas lands.”
Senator Kirk Watson introduced the companion bill in the Texas Senate. He said, “I congratulate Representative Stucky and the House Public Health Committee. This bill also has strong bipartisan support in the Senate, and we look forward to quick action in the Senate as well.”

Don’t Poison Texas is a broad-based coalition of ranchers, veterinarians, hunters, wildlife specialists and property owners opposed to spreading warfarin-based poisons across Texas lands until independent, valid scientific studies are conducted to assess the risks to humans, livestock, wildlife, and the environment. Other groups supporting H.B. 3451 and S.B. 1454 include the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Wildlife Association, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Texas Hog Hunters Association, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, Texas State Rifle Association.

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