What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of cyanide devices, such as M44 cyanide traps or guns, to control wildlife in New York.
Why it matters
Protects public and animal safety. By banning cyanide traps, the bill reduces the risk of accidental poisoning to pets, livestock, and even humans who might come into contact with these devices.
Promotes humane wildlife management. The use of cyanide devices is widely criticized for causing unnecessary suffering to animals; this legislation encourages more humane methods of wildlife control.
Reduces environmental contamination. Cyanide is a potent toxin that can contaminate soil and water. Prohibiting its use helps prevent unintended environmental harm and protects broader ecosystems.
Aligns with public sentiment and modern conservation practices. There is growing public concern over the indiscriminate and hazardous nature of chemical wildlife control; this bill responds to those concerns and reflects a shift toward safer, science-based wildlife management policies.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Cyanide Wildlife Devices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7092
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of cyanide devices to control wildlife
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-1101 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 13 to read as follows:
13. No person shall use an M44 cyanide device, cyanide trap, cyanide gun or similar device designed to propel a dose of sodium cyanide into any wildlife for the purpose of taking such wildlife.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13659-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of cyanide devices to control wildlife
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the use of so-called "cyanide bombs" to control wildlife in New York State.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds a new section 11-1101 to the environmental conservation law to prohibit use of an M44 cyanide device, cyanide trap, cyanide gun, or similar device designed to propel a dose of sodium cyan- ide into any wildlife for the purposes of taking such wildlife.
Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.
Justification
M44 cyanide devices, otherwise known as "cyanide bombs", are spring- loaded devices equipped with scented bait that are used for predator control in the United States. Once triggered, these devices are designed to propel a lethal dose of sodium cyanide into an animal's mouth. Howev- er, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's own data has consistently found that in addition to killing thousands of predators such as coyotes and foxes every year, these devices kill, maim, or injure hundreds of non- target animals such as pet dogs, bears, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and other animals.
According to the New York Times, while reviewing a proposal to reauthor- ize the use of these devices in 2018, the EPA asked for public comment and an "overwhelming majority" of the 20,000 letters submitted on the issue were in opposition to the proposal. Despite this consensus, the EPA announced in August 2019 that they would be reauthorizing the use of cyanide bombs. The decision prompted intense criticism, and the EPA reversed its decision a week later but said the issue warranted "further analysis."
Regardless of the conclusion the EPA eventually reaches, abundant data and evidence suggest that the use of these devices continually results in the unfortunate and unintended death of non-predator species. In particularly tragic cases, the devices have poisoned children, adults, and their pets while out for walks or play. These devices are a clumsy, unsubtle way to control predator populations, and their safety cannot be guaranteed, no matter the restrictions placed on their use.
The use of these devices is currently prohibited in other states includ- ing California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. New York should act proactively and join these other states. This legislation, which is partly modeled after legislation that was signed into law in Oregon on May 6, 2019, would prohibit the use of these barbaric devices to protect the health of wildlife, companion animals, and humans and prevent acci- dental deaths as a result of the use of these devices.
Prior legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.