Australia: RSPCA OFFERS TO PUT DOWN TOADS

[RSPCA Files ::: gmail]

Ref:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1553980.htm

RSPCA OFFERS TO PUT DOWN TOADS

Jan 24 - The RSPCA is volunteering to put down cane toads found around
Darwin, saying it is inhumane to freeze the animals or club them with
cricket bats.

It anticipates that it will cost about $1 per toad to use a chemical that
puts them to sleep and then kills them.

It is the same drug used to put down cats and dogs.

The RSPCA's Lindsay Wilkinson says encouraging children to attack toads
could have psychological as well as physical repercussions.

"If you didn't want to think about the humane aspects, if you hit a cane
toad and it explodes in your face the toxin is powerful enough to cause
permanent eye damage," he said.

"People don't think about that sort of thing. Who's going to explain why
little Johnny can't see any more?"

He says the disadvantages of trying to club toads have been shown in
Queensland.

"There's cane toads up there wandering around with split livers and
fractured skulls," he said.

"So the worst scenario is a cane toad hops next door injured and the
neighbour's family pet comes along and eats it and dies."