Malibu to Take Stand on Secondary Poisoning of Wildlife

A Malibu group advocating for the banning of rat poison in local stores scored a victory recently with the release of a Malibu City Council resolution showing support for their cause. 

For the past year, members of the Malibu Agricultural Society have campaigned to get Malibu merchants to pull products that contain rodenticides from their shelves. The list of Malibu businesses that have removed products is long, and includes: Ralphs, Malibu Hardware, CVS Pharmacy, Malibu Ranch Market, A&B Plumbing and Pavilions.

Now, the Malibu City Council is considering adopting a resolution to urge businesses in Malibu to no longer use or sell anticoagulant rodenticides. The resolution also urges all property owners to cease purchasing or using the poisons on their properties in Malibu. The city is also willing to commit to not use anticoagulant rodenticides as part of its maintenance program for city-owned parks and facilities.

"The products contain active ingredients that cause lethal internal hemorrhaging in the animals that ingest the poison," according to a city of Malibu staff report. "Unfortunately, pets or wildlife may also be kiled by ingesting rodenticides or may become sick or die due to secondary exposure from consuming the dead or dying rodents."

Some animals that have been documented victims of rodenticide poisoning include hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats and mountain lions. 

Members of the Malibu Agricultural Society worked with the city over the past several months, resulting in Councilmen Lou LaMonte and John Sibert to recommending city action. 

The resolution the council is considering only goes so far. The state of California -- not the city of Malibu -- has the power to ban rodenticides. 

That's why the Malibu Agricultural Society plans to continue to push for the banning of all rodenticides in other cities across the state. 

"Passing the Resolution will give a big boost to the campaign," said Kian Schulman, a member of the Malibu Agricultural Society.

Schulman said the organization wanted to give a special thanks to Anne Soble for her pioneering efforts and the work of the staff of the Malibu Surfside News, who have highlighted the problem over the years.

The newspaper's website has not been updated since Soble's son, Mark Soble, printed a letter stating that his mother was hospitalized with kidney failure, a possible heart attack and a leg wound infection on June 7. 

"We wish her a swift recovery," Schulman said, adding that education is the key to keeping wildlife and pets from the harmful effects of rodenticide.

The Malibu Agricultural Society plans to approach the Malibu Chamber of Commerce soon and to expand their campaign to other cities.

The meeting is set for Monday, July 8 at Malibu City Hall. Read the full agenda report here.