URGENT: Ask Neighborhood in Nevada to Ditch Bird Poisoning

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BACKGROUND | SOURCE PETA

Rock Springs One, a homeowners’ association (HOA) in Mesquite, Nevada, is considering the use of notorious poison Avitrol to kill pigeons and other birds living in its neighborhood. PETA informed the management about the cruelty of Avitrol, but to no apparent avail. Reportedly, the HOA is voting on this issue this Thursday, May 31!

Lethal methods don’t work and will actually backfire. Whenever birds are killed or removed, a spike in the food supply results, which causes accelerated breeding among survivors and newcomers. Populations then increase! Furthermore, Avitrol is horribly cruel. It causes disorientation, convulsions, and a slow, agonizing death. Pest-control companies often tell clients that Avitrol only “scares birds away,” but this is flatly untrue. And dogs, cats, and “nontarget” wildlife can die after consuming the bodies of poisoned birds.

Please politely urge Rock Springs One HOA officials to refrain from poisoning birds and to stick with humane and effective bird control methods instead.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Trish Hall, President
Colonial Property Management
thall@cpmlv.com

Tiara Gehl
Provisional Community Manager
Colonial Property Management
tgehl@cpmlv.com


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear President Hall and Provisional Community Manager Gehl,

It has come to my attention that Rock Springs One, a homeowners’ association (HOA) in Mesquite, Nevada, is considering the use of the notorious poison Avitrol to kill pigeons and other birds living in its neighborhood. Please allow me this opportunity to elaborate my protest. First, these animals are targeted to be killed as a response to private and public objections over their presence, and the use of the poison Avitrol has been chosen as the preferred method of death. This poison is not rapid; in fact, it causes a drawn-out and painful condition that can last for days. Many birds will attempt escape and fly only to be stricken mid-flight to fall to the ground dying upon impact.

Second, this poison can also affect other non-target wild and non-wild animals, including those who maintain an endangered definition.

Third, killing the birds artificially increases food supplies to the remaining birds, the consequence of which is increased reproduction and an ensuing greater bird population. In fact, studies have demonstrated that the continual cycle of seasonal culls is responsible for a rebound, or larger populations, in subsequent years.

As such, I respectfully request that you work with particular groups and citizens to develop alternative, humane solutions to killing these animals. These creatures are sentient and deserve our compassion and respect, not our brutality and violence.

I thank you for your attention to this matter.

you do not want birds,
find another way,
to coexist,
not torture and
slay

Karen Lyons Kalmenson