H.R. 615, The Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2009 would force manufacturers to produce a less dangerous form of the product.

Sign the petition here:
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_615.html

Some estimate that every year over 700 small children and over 10,000 animals are poisoned by antifreeze, drawn by its sweet taste. Antifreeze poisoning likely causes many more illnesses and deaths that are never identified as such.

The sweet taste of antifreeze can be so attractive to dogs and other animals, such as raccoons, that they will gnaw on closed cans to get at it. Antifreeze is so deadly that some use it to kill squirrels, stray dogs, and other animals they don't want around. Unattended neighborhood dogs and even children could eat poisoned biscuits. Secondary poisonings can occur when prey animals are poisoned, then eaten by predators, who could include pet cats.

You need a permit to get a gun, but anyone can buy lethal antifreeze and kill at will or unknowingly.

So deadly is the substance that the poisoning can happen inadvertently. Apparently you can step on the sticky green stuff at a gas station and bring it in on your shoe. Dogs in particular will cuddle up with their person's shoes and sometimes lick them.

The few cases of pets surviving antifreeze poisoning were found within ONE HOUR of ingestion. Emergency measures were taken, often followed by expensive hospitalization. Chronic kidney damage may be a lifelong effect.

It's unthinkable that the manufacturers have been allowed to continue producing such a substance. Yet several prior attempts at passing antifreeze bittering legislation have failed.

I've called to my Congressperson. I urge you to call yours today.
Help spread the word and save lives! Call your Congressional Representative today
CLICK HERE TO IDENTIFY & GET CONTACT INFO FOR YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE.

Is your Congressperson a bill cosponsor?
THANK THEM! H.R. 615 was introduced by Mr. ACKERMAN (for himself, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Mr. CASTLE, Mr. COHEN, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. HARE, Mr. FILNER, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, and Mr. MOORE of Kansas) introduced the following bill

H.R. 615 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Click here to see if your Congressperson is a member of this committee. If so, call and urge him/her to recommend this bill for passage in a House floor vote.

Thank you for caring and helping!

• CLICK HERE to learn about a state's successful effort to pass a law protecting animals from antifreeze poisoning; Vermont's Governor signed that bill into law in May 2009.
• CLICK HERE to learn how to protect your pets from antifreeze poisoning.

Posted by Sheryl Rapee-Adams, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Images retrieved from sxc.hu

Best Friends Animal Society has not taken a position in support or opposition of this piece of legislation