Wildlife rescue warns against using rat poison after East Lake dogs ingest rodenticide

TAMPA, Fla. - Wildlife experts in the Tampa Bay Area are warning residents about the hazards of rat poison after two dogs ingested rodenticide.

East Lake rodenticide poison threat

The backstory:

Barbara Walker, a wildlife rehabilitator with Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue, said she was alerted to the incident after an East Lake resident saw her dogs eating rodenticide and rushed them to an emergency veterinarian. Walker also got calls about sick and dead squirrels and rats nearby.

She said the recent rain caused the rat poison to spread from an East Lake neighbor’s yard to other properties.

"Rodenticide poisoning ... can act rather quickly," Walker said. "Your dog may have a stomachache. It may not want to eat. It may be lethargic, or it may vomit, and if it vomits, especially a bright green color, that would be right away to the vet because prompt treatment can save animals that have ingested things they shouldn’t."

The poison can cause severe internal bleeding in pets and people. 

Experts warn that rodenticide runoff can find its way into neighboring yards, water sources and delicate ecosystems like the nearby Brooker Creek Preserve.

Safe pest control alternatives

What you can do:

To prevent secondary poisoning and accidental exposures, experts recommend using traps instead of poison. If poison must be used, experts stress selecting types that are less likely to affect non-target species and ensuring it is contained.

Walker also warned if you see a dead animal, call her at 727-798-2385, or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922) to properly dispose of it. If another animal eats it, the poison will spread elsewhere.

"I am a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. I will come pick it up, and I will make sure that it gets frozen and then either tested or incinerated properly because of that secondary issue," Walker said.

FWC's statement

What they're saying:

FWC released the following statement after the East Lake incident: 

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating a report involving the placement of rodenticide on a property near Brooker Creek Preserve in Pinellas County.

On August 12, an FWC officer responded to the report and conducted an initial assessment. The incident remains under investigation, and FWC officers are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the reported use and whether any wildlife or other protected resources may have been affected.

Rodenticides are regulated products, and their use is subject to federal and state requirements, including restrictions and label directions intended to reduce risks to wildlife and other non-target animals. The legality of a particular application depends on the circumstances, product involved, location, and manner in which it was used.

The FWC takes all potential wildlife violations seriously. Members of the public who observe or have information about suspected wildlife violations are encouraged to report them to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Information provided by the public can be valuable in helping FWC officers investigate potential violations and protect Florida’s wildlife."

Tampa Bay