Rat Pesticide Improperly Used At Northport Park, DEC Says: Report

NORTHPORT, NY — Ditrac, a rat pesticide, was improperly used at Northport Village Park, News 12 Long Island reported. News 12 obtained video of workers contracted by the village saying they were using Ditrac.

Ditrac is "extremely toxic" to people and pets, and they could be poisoned if they eat animals that ingested the poison, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Ditrac should not be applied to water or areas where there is surface water present, according to the EPA.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation told News 12 it investigated and found Ditrac was "improperly" buried in several spots in the park, News 12 reported. Joe Sabia, Northport deputy mayor, told News 12 the contractor removed the pesticide and is satisfied there is no safety risk.

Click here to read the full News 12 Long Island story.

If an animal ingests Ditrac, veterinarians were advised to prescribe Vitamin K, according to the product label. Blood transfusions could be necessary in "severe cases," according to Bell Laboratories. Animals' signs of Ditrac poisoning include bleeding or elevated prothrombin times, according to the label.

The substance should not be allowed to enter drains or water, the label states. Ditrac should not be allowed to contaminate streams, rivers or lakes, and if it does, an environmental agency should be contacted, according to the label.