Vet Med - Czech, 2011, 56(4):173-179 | DOI: 10.17221/3148-VETMED

Malicious animal intoxications: poisoned baits

M. Giorgi, G. Mengozzi

Veterinary Clinics Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Data of toxicological analyses for baits carried out in the Laboratory of Toxicology of the Department of Veterinary Clinics (University of Pisa) over a 10-year period are summarized. The 508 lures have been grouped according to their preparation features. This classification has generated six classes: (1) baits prepared with discarded or out-of-date food; (2) laborious and original/particular baits; (3) baits containing more than one toxic substance; (4) baits containing non-toxic material; (5) baits prepared with non-food material and (6) in vivo baits. The most commonly detected toxic substances in baits were organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides (48%), anticoagulant rodenticides (18%), zinc phosphide (12%), strychnine (9%), metaldehyde (8%) and others (5%). This survey shows that in Italy, the deliberate misuse or abuse of toxic substances intended to kill domestic animals, is very common and still far from being eradicated. Elaboration of a complex strategy, involving authorities as well as veterinarians and citizens, is the first step to defeat this harmful practice.

Keywords: poisoned baits; veterinary toxicology; suspicious death; poisoning; lures

Published: April 30, 2011  Show citation