“The fact that that owl died [Monday], maybe it’s going to galvanize something and we can all really get behind this,” Desjardins said, adding that people in the community have been supportive.
She said council has had information on the banning of anticoagulant rodenticides — which kill rats through internal bleeding — for the past few months and unanimously decided to take the step on Monday. The vote came after council received a staff report recommending the ban.
Businesses and residents are still allowed to use rodenticides on their own properties, but Desjardins said staff will be trying to persuade them not to by giving them information on rodenticides’ “harmful effects and impacts.” Options like traps will also be discussed.