Berkshire Green Drinks to Discuss Rat Poison Hazards and Proposed Legislation

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Green Drinks will host a discussion on the potential hazards of rat poison to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, along with information regarding pending legislation in Massachusetts aimed at restricting its use.
 
The event, titled "Rescue Raptors: Regulate Rat Poison," will feature local activists Peggy White and Richard Clapper.   
 
The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, and will be accessible both online via Zoom and in person at Hot Plate Brewing Co., located at 1 School St. An in-person social gathering is planned to begin around 5:15 PM, with the presentation and Zoom meeting commencing at 6:00 PM.   
 
White and Clapper will discuss their involvement in efforts to protect birds of prey and other predators in Massachusetts from rodenticides. They are reportedly working with Mass Audubon to advocate for restrictions on anticoagulant rodenticides, which they state are not only lethal to rodents but also to animals that consume them.   
 
According to the announcement, predators such as raptors and coyotes play a role in maintaining ecological balance. The speakers contend that these animals are being poisoned after feeding on poisoned rodents, leading to internal bleeding and death.   
 
Anticoagulant Rodenticides (ARs) are described as toxins intended for rodent control, but their effects can extend to non-target species, including household pets like dogs and cats, as well as various wildlife and potentially humans. The announcement states that ARs can remain in a rodent's system for several days, posing a risk to any animal that comes into contact with them.   
 
Massachusetts lawmakers are currently considering S. 644 / H. 965: An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment. Supporters believe this legislation could significantly aid in the protection of wildlife, pets, and people, but its passage is contingent on public support.   
 
The event is organized by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and co-sponsored by Hot Plate Brewing Co. It is part of the monthly Berkshire Green Drinks series, which features speakers on environmentally related topics followed by discussion and a question-and-answer session.   
 
Those interested in attending can find more information and RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/June2025-Berks-Green-Drinks. For further inquiries about Berkshire Green Drinks, individuals can contact Chelsey Simmons at chelsey@thebeatnews.org or (413) 464-9402.
 
 
 

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Companion Corner: Fox at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a sweet and energetic dog at the Berkshire Humane Society waiting for his new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Fox is a 3-year-old Pomeranian who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Fox. 

"He's a bundle of joy. He would love a family who's home with him a lot, because he's just, he's very social and wants to be with his people a lot. And he would be fun to bring out and about, bring a lot of places, because he's very happy to go anywhere," she said.

When Fox enters the room he is immediately a puffball of energy that goes around and around the room.

He came to the shelter after his former owner could not take care of him anymore. 

"The owner was just not able to care for him anymore. Had he came in with another dog, Wolf, and she already did find her forever home just last week," said Olivieri. "The two of them were left with a friend of the original owner, and the owner did not come back to pick them up, and the friend had too many animals in the house, and too much going on, and she just couldn't continue to look after them, so they did end up coming to us."

Fox can go home with cats and children but is not recommended to go home with other dogs as he gets too excited.

"He would love a home where people are home quite a bit to give him all the attention that he so desires. He loves kids. He absolutely adores children. So he would like a home with kids to play with. He could live with cats. We are saying that he should not live with other dogs. The only reason is that he gets very humpy, and he does not leave the other dogs alone," she said.

With his energy it is recommended he goes to a home that can keep him active whether walks or hikes and even fetch in the yard.

Fox does need to learn more about walking on a leash and has a tendency to mark in the house but he was recently neutered. Olivieri said belly bands will be sent home with whoever adopts him to help prevent marking and managing it.

"He would like an active home. He really does like to go for walks daily. He likes to run around in the yard. He does need a little work on leash walking. He sometimes gets a little tangled still under your feet, and he's learning how to walk on a leash," she said. "So, someone who's got some patience and some time to work on some training with him."

"He also is not fully potty trained, so he does know to go potty outside. However, he will still mark, urinate in the house sometimes, and he might poop here and there in the house."

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