Dangerous Poison
A Hamilton thief is dicing with death, and risking public safety, after stealing a poison so deadly even touching it can be fatal.
Rentokil Initial issued an urgent public safety notice in the wake of the theft of Feratox, a cyanide poison used for pest control, which it said took place overnight between June 12/13 in Hamilton from a company vehicle.
He said their number one concern at present was public safety. He also said he had a message for whoever had taken the items.
“Please return the goods. They’re very dangerous and could cause immense harm to the public.”
The company said police, the Environmental Protection Authority, Waikato Regional Council and “all other relevant authorities” have been notified of the theft.
Anyone who comes across the material is asked not to touch it and immediately contact police on 111, or the EPA on 0800 225 537.
According to the safety data sheet from Feratox manufacturers Connovation, the bait station product is fatal if swallowed, fatal in contact with skin and is also “suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child”.
It is also “very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects”.
Anyone who comes into contact with the poison is urged to seek immediate medical attention, and symptoms can include dizziness, rapid breathing, headache, drowsiness, rapid pulse, unconsciousness and convulsions.
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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23.6% On top!
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