Is it legal to put Rat poison down to stop animals weeing on plants?

far2812

On my daily walk to day - I came across some rat poison which has been put down near some flowers in a bedding area.

It is up a ginnel (but is open to public) and everyone walks their dogs or just themselves through it to access the main road.

A couple of weeks ago - there was a MASSIVE sign next to a dog poo - saying "dirty filthy disgusting owner - remove this pile of sh*t or you will be caught on camera)"

I mean a little bit over the top really but I was just wondering if it is legal to put rat poison down in public places where dogs, children etc walk.

Whoever has put it there has clearly put it there to put the animals off weeing or pooing.........

My dog went to lick it but fortunately I saw it in time!

foreign_correspondent

In a public place I believe it should be in a sealed box like rentokill put down - we put it inside a clay pipe (big enough for rats to go through, but too small for a dogs snout) when we need to put some in the greenhouse.

sarabe

I doubt it has been put there to stop dogs fouling.

Far more sinister reasons I expect.

A couple of years ago a few dogs died in the next village to me after a dog hater put down poison where they were walked.

far2812

well this is what we don't know but surely it shouldnt be there! I don't know who to contact regarding it - i would hate to think any dog would eat it!

hethmar

I would think it would attract animals rather than stopping them wee. B***** person but I do also blame dog owners who cant be bothered to scoop the poop. When we got out with ours we always have a large supply of poo bags and quite often OH has gone up to someone and given them one when he can tell they are just going to walk on after their dog has done a poo. Thing is, doesnt take many people like that to spoil it for all dog owners.

far2812

i cant really prove it though can i?

looby75

the council bloke who came to put the rat poison down in our garden (lots of building work going on so lots of rats around ) said that all poison in a public place had to be put in special boxes that stopped the wrong kind of animals getting to the poison.

I don't know if it's just out council policy but it might be worth checking with your local council to see if thats the case where you are.

far2812

ok looby good thinking!!!

foreign_correspondent

yes, the environmental health should be able to advise.. I know if this was being done in the workplace (or was being put dowb by professionals) it would be illegal, but I dont know where a private individual stands with it... however, if it is being put down where pets or children could get at it, I think it is likely to be seen to be problematic.

Can I just ask, how do you know it is rat poison?

mrcol1000

You are all correct. Rat Posion in public areas should be in sealed boxes to ensure that other creatures do not eat it especially birds. No council or professional pest control company would put rat posion down unless it was in a sealed box and they would ensure it was put somewhere out the way. Often they will put it in sewers where its only the rats that will go near it.

I can fully understand why someone would put rat posion down because it is very frustrating to have people not bother to clean up after their dogs and the kind of people who do it are normally "decent honest" people who just leave it when there is no-one else about.

Anyone who has ever not cleaned up after their dog even the once when they knew there was no chance of getting caught should think about the effect it has on local residents. This particular case has obviously driven the person to want to posion the dogs. It does take a nutter to do this only a very frustrated and upset person.

I would personally inform your local council cleansing department and tell them that there is rat posion on a public highway and ask them to go and clean it up as a matter of urgency.

Anyone who is thinking of putting rat posion down a far more effective way to get back at these people involves the use of a hidden CCTV camera, printing out stills from it and a local flyposting campgain. Although my post would be removed if I told you too much. Although all of these is legal.

far2812

Well to be honest - when I take my dog for a walk - not only do i pick up his "remains" I pick up as much rubbish as I can see on our walk around - I think if everyone did that - the country would be a cleaner place. I don't mind doing it - it is usually paper, empty bottles, cartons etc - nothing sinister and I use the bag to pick them up!!!