Australia: NT - Haemorrhoid cream for cane toads
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http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17932992-13762,00.html
Haemorrhoid cream for cane toads
January 25, 2006
TERRITORIANS face fines of up to $12,000 for killing cane toads with golf
clubs and cricket bats, it was learned yesterday.The RSPCA's acting chief
executive Lindsay Wilkinson said dispatching the pests with one clean shot
was not illegal.
But it was against the law if several blows were needed.
He suggested using haemorrhoid cream instead to anaesthetise them.
But Mr Wilkinson added:"You don't need to rub it in as you normally might
elsewhere."
He said hitting toads several times could be considered causing pain and
suffering - and would be a contravention of the Animal Welfare Act.
"It is irresponsible and cruel to bash cane toads with implements like golf
sticks or cricket bats," Mr Wilkinson said.
"Bashing rarely kills cane toads outright and can leave the creature to
suffer a lingering death."
He said Territorians should don gloves and apply a strip of benzocaine
ointment - better known as haemorrhoid cream - for about 25mm along the back
of the toad.
"This quickly anaesthetises the toad and then it can be killed humanely by
freezing while unconscious," he said.
"Benzocaine is more widely recognised as Rectinol and is available from
chemists.
"One jar can treat a number of toads and this method isn't a pain in the
butt for neighbours fighting off your wounded cane toads.
"The RSPCA would be pleased to see the backside of cane toads and this is a
humane way to do it.
"So, don't get anal, get Rectinol."
He said the "ideal method" for dealing with the pests was to have a
veterinarian euthanase them.
The RSPCA does not recommend pouring Dettol or salt on toads because this
burns their skin and causes "immense suffering".
Solomon MHR David Tollner, who was famously photographed for the Sunday
Territorian demonstrating how to whack a toad with a golf club, said the
RSPCA should concentrate on its core business rather than fret about the
fate of "toxic pests".
"It should be concerned about the horrible deaths of our native wildlife
because of the toads," he said.