If you see this white powder on the street, keep away animals and children

With the arrival of summer, in an attempt to ward off or eliminate mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects, there are many who resort to DIY by sprinkling the front door (which opens onto the street) with insecticides and powdered poisons that can be lethal to our dogs or cats.

With the arrival of summer, in an attempt to remove or eliminate mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects, there are many who resort to do-it-yourself by sprinkling the front door (which overlooks the street) with insecticides and powdered poisons that can be lethal for our dogs or cats.

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Lures, morsels and poison in the street

Let's try to do some clarity. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health prohibits anyone from using improperly, preparing, mixing and abandoning baits and morsels that are poisoned or containing noxious or toxic substances, including glass, plastics and metals or explosive material, which can cause intoxication or injury or death of the person who ingests them.

But also with regard to the unhealthy habit of sprinkle poison in front of shops or at the doors of the house, the ministry speaks clearly: DIY is prohibited because the disinfestation and rat extermination operations must be carried out by specialized companies and carried out through the use of authorized products in such a way as not to harm people and other animal species in any way.

If you see this white powder on the street, keep away animals and children

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Disinfestation: it is up to the authorized companies

Usually it is the municipality that instructs the companies to proceed and has the obligation to inform and publicize the calendar at least five working days in advance, so that residents are informed in time and can preserve their pets.

The notices must contain the indication of danger for the presence of the poison, the identifying elements of the person in charge of the treatment, the duration of the treatment and the indication of the substances used and the relative antidotes.

At the end of the operations, the manager of the specialized company provides for the reclamation of the site by collecting the unused bait and the carcasses of rats or other deceased animals, informing the local health authority and the experimental zooprophylactic institute with territorial jurisdiction in case of recovery. of non-weed species.

So the whole thing is far from white trails, buckets of water and creoline, of insecticides thrown down the drain that could pollute tons of sea water.

The ministry, referring to the famous do-it-yourself, establishes that the presence of poisons or toxic substances abandoned in the environment represents "a serious risk for the human population, especially for children, and is also the cause of environmental contamination, as well as due to damage to the fauna, including endangered species ".

Poison in the street: what do I do?

The ordinance was made necessary precisely due to the persistence of numerous episodes of death of pets after smelling or ingesting these toxic substances, which are not even good for human health and can lead to respiratory problems or erythema.

Therefore, if you notice suspicious white stripes and are sure that they are not the work of firms authorized by your municipality of residence (you can easily find out from the calendar posted on the street or made public on the administration website), immediately report to the police, in particular the traffic police, the presence of poison.

My dog or cat has ingested poison, what do I do?

Meanwhile, let's say that the immediate detection of a poisoning can be the decisive factor to save our dog's life. Unfortunately, our four-legged friend can be exposed to various poisons such as strychnine, metaldehyde, herbicides and poisons against mice, which act immediately and, if not diagnosed quickly, are lethal.

With these poisons, in fact, from 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion the dog or cat has stiff limbs, excessive salivation, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures.

But the cases are different depending on the poisons that can also cause silent bleeding. In any case, if you suspect, call your veterinarian or veterinary doctor immediately.

While waiting for the vet and after having consulted his opinion, you can try to make the dog or cat vomit by administering salt water, but never milk. Then try to make him feel comfortable and assure him of your presence. Once the animal is out of danger, go to the report that must also be made by the veterinarian you have entrusted to.

Remember, however, that the only one who can give you advice on what to do is your veterinarian, avoid doing it yourself which, even if done for a good purpose, could cost the life of your four-legged friend.

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