Protect Pets and Wildlife: Ban Government-Approved Cyanide Bombs

Every year in the United States, thousands of animals are killed by horrifying pest control devices called M-44s, also known as “cyanide bombs.” These spring-loaded traps are embedded in the ground and baited to attract animals. When an animal tugs on the bait, the device explodes, shooting a cloud of sodium cyanide into its mouth. The poison causes an agonizing death—often involving internal bleeding, lung failure, convulsions, and seizures before the animal finally succumbs.

Approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and deployed by federal agencies like USDA Wildlife Services, these devices are intended to kill predators such as coyotes and foxes. But they are indiscriminate killers. Placed on public lands with virtually no warning or oversight, they have killed countless non-target animals, including endangered species like wolves, grizzly bears, and even family pets. These devices have also seriously injured humans.

A tragic case occurred in 2017, when 14-year-old Canyon Mansfield was walking his three-year-old yellow Lab, Kasey, near their home in Idaho. Canyon accidentally triggered an M-44 planted by Wildlife Services, which sprayed a cloud of orange cyanide into the air. Canyon watched in horror as his beloved dog writhed on the ground in pain, bleeding from his mouth and convulsing for several agonizing minutes before he died. Canyon was hospitalized from the effects of the cyanide and suffered severe poisoning symptoms, including long-term migraines and mood changes, in addition to the trauma of witnessing his dog’s horrific death.

Canyon’s story sparked a nationwide push to eliminate these devices. Today, that fight continues in Congress with the recent reintroduction of Canyon’s Law (H.R. 4180), which would ban M-44 cyanide bombs on public lands. Passing this bill is essential to protect wildlife, pets, and people from these indiscriminate killers.

Please join Species Unite in supporting Canyon’s Law by sending a letter to your member of Congress urging them to cosponsor and finally pass this lifesaving legislation. If your representative is already a cosponsor, you can use the form to thank them for their leadership on this urgent issue.