M44 (cyanide device)
Encyclopedia
The M44 cyanide
device (also called a 'cyanide gun' or a 'cyanide trap') is used for the elimination of suspected livestock
predators, such as coyotes blamed for the loss of profits. It lures predators with an attractive smell, often from a small piece of bait, then uses a spring to propel a dosage of sodium cyanide
into the predator's mouth. The sodium cyanide combines with water in the mouth to produce poisonous cyanide gas.
The M44 was invented in the 1960s to replace a different device known as a 'coyote-getter' which made use of powdered cyanide ejected by a primer. The M44 reduces the risk to humans from the earlier device. They are considered relatively safe because of the high level of selectivity they afford.
Use of the M44 device has been criticised by animal welfare
and environmental groups, as the devices have many unintended victims, including pets and endangered species
. In 2003, Mr. Dennis Slaugh of Vernal, Utah, was on public lands and mistook an M-44 for a survey marker. When he pulled on it, the device shot sodium cyanide powder on his face and chest causing him to become violently ill. (Some commentators noted that this confirmed the devices also served to protect survey markers from vandalism.) In February 2006, an M44 device killed a man's dog in Utah
, as the dog and owner were walking through public land. The man was also affected by the cyanide in the device, and is seeking compensation
from the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Service, along with the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture.
Cyanide
A cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the cyano group, -C≡N, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Cyanides most commonly refer to salts of the anion CN−. Most cyanides are highly toxic....
device (also called a 'cyanide gun' or a 'cyanide trap') is used for the elimination of suspected livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
predators, such as coyotes blamed for the loss of profits. It lures predators with an attractive smell, often from a small piece of bait, then uses a spring to propel a dosage of sodium cyanide
Sodium cyanide
Sodium cyanide is an inorganic compound with the formula NaCN. This highly toxic colorless salt is used mainly in gold mining but has other niche applications...
into the predator's mouth. The sodium cyanide combines with water in the mouth to produce poisonous cyanide gas.
The M44 was invented in the 1960s to replace a different device known as a 'coyote-getter' which made use of powdered cyanide ejected by a primer. The M44 reduces the risk to humans from the earlier device. They are considered relatively safe because of the high level of selectivity they afford.
Use of the M44 device has been criticised by animal welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
and environmental groups, as the devices have many unintended victims, including pets and endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
. In 2003, Mr. Dennis Slaugh of Vernal, Utah, was on public lands and mistook an M-44 for a survey marker. When he pulled on it, the device shot sodium cyanide powder on his face and chest causing him to become violently ill. (Some commentators noted that this confirmed the devices also served to protect survey markers from vandalism.) In February 2006, an M44 device killed a man's dog in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, as the dog and owner were walking through public land. The man was also affected by the cyanide in the device, and is seeking compensation
Damages
In law, damages is an award, typically of money, to be paid to a person as compensation for loss or injury; grammatically, it is a singular noun, not plural.- Compensatory damages :...
from the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Service, along with the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture.