Canyon’s Law

Key Points

• This bill would stop the use of M-44 devices, which are often called cyanide bombs, on all federal public lands. These devices are small traps that spray a deadly poison called sodium cyanide when an animal pulls on them. They are currently used to kill coyotes and other predators that might attack farm animals.
• The law is named after a boy named Canyon who was accidentally poisoned by one of these traps in 2017 while walking with his dog. The trap killed his dog and left the boy with long term health problems. Since 1984, at least 42 people and many family pets have been hurt or killed by these devices.
• If this bill becomes law, government agencies would have 30 days to find and remove all cyanide bombs from land managed by the Forest Service, the National Park Service, and other federal groups. This would make public lands safer for hikers, hunters, and families who visit these areas.
• Supporters of the ban say these traps are dangerous because they are not specific. They often kill animals they are not meant for, including bald eagles, bears, and endangered species. Critics of the ban, like some ranchers, worry that losing these tools will make it harder to protect their livestock from predators.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.