ALBANY, NY--As a result of an investigation into last month's bird kills on Staten Island, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a notice of violation to New Jersey-based AAA Animal & Pest Control for possession of Avitrol, a pesticide banned for use in New York City.
DEC determined that Avitrol was the cause of death for dozens of birds killed at two locations in Staten Island on Dec. 21 and 24, 2007.
In a voluntary statement to DEC's Bureau of Pesticides, the owner of AAA Animal & Pest Control, which is not a registered business in New York State, admitted using Avitrol in the Great Kills neighborhood of Staten Island for a number of years. On Dec. 21, 2007, a large number of dead Common Grackles ("Blackbirds") were found near the intersection of Sweetwater and Wiman Avenues, prompting an investigation by Environmental Conservation Officers. The investigation of these incidents continues.
Avitrol is specifically designed to control bird populations, and where it may be legally used, it is applied to bird feed or other bait. The poison is formulated to alarm flocking species such as pigeons and starlings by inducing erratic behavior in birds and thus frightening other birds away from a potential feeding or nesting site. Feed treated with Avitrol also can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and household pets.
In 2000, the New York State Legislature banned the use of Avitrol in New York City because of public concern about the extreme thrashing and erratic behavior that the pesticide causes in birds as well as its potential to affect non-target species. DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis, then a New York State Assemblyman, sponsored the bill to ban the pesticide.
Penalties for the use of Avitrol in New York City may include fines not to exceed $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for any subsequent offense.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
www.dec.ny.gov
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