Bill introduced to keep families, pets safe from explosives

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Steve Cohen (TN-09) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) re-introduced Canyon’s Law, legislation to ban from public lands the M-44 ejector – a spring-loaded device filled with sodium cyanide used to kill predatory animals and pest species.  

“Cyanide bombs are a cruel and indiscriminate device that have proven to be deadly for pets, humans, and wildlife – regardless of the intended target,” said Rep. Huffman. “Families should be able to enjoy the outdoors without the fear of accidentally detonating these devices. They have no business being on our public lands.”

M-44s are small traps made up of a stake that is driven into the ground with a spring and a canister loaded with the powdered poison, sodium cyanide. Once they’re set, the traps resemble sprinkler heads, and when triggered, the M-44 ejects a cloud of cyanide meant to kill coyotes, wild dogs, or foxes.