Lawmakers consider bill to protect pets from antifreeze chemical

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(Host) A common chemical used in automobile antifreeze is extremely toxic to pets and wildlife. Yet its sweet flavor makes accidental ingestion quite common.

So, Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill that would help out their four-legged friends.

VPR’s John Dillon reports:

(Dillon) Karen Bradley is a veterinarian at the Onion River Animal Hospital in Middlesex. She says it doesn’t take much ethylene glycol – that’s the main ingredient in antifreeze – to cause a horrible death.

(Bradley) "It takes so little for this toxicity. A 100 pound dog, about two tablespoons is all they have to drink of antifreeze. And they’ll die."

(Dillon) The chemical first makes the animal act intoxicated or disoriented. If they’re not treated right away, it causes irreversible kidney damage.

(Bradley) "It’s heart-breaking to either watch them die, or have the owner elect euthanasia."

(Dillon) The deadly antifreeze smells good to pets and it tastes sweet. So animals can easily be poisoned if they lick up an accidental spill, or drink from an open container left lying around the garage.

Bradley says her clinic sees at least one case a year of antifreeze poisoning.

(Bradley) "Two years ago I had some people who live in Plainfield, and their dog was just sick. We didn’t know why…. And their dogs run in the woods all the time. Somebody had dumped antifreeze in the woods somewhere."

(Dillon) Bradley said the family’s other dog also got sick, and both animals had to be put down.

The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association supports legislation that requires companies to add a chemical called a "bittering agent" to the product.

The bitter substance does not change the properties of antifreeze, but it’s designed to make the material unpalatable to pets. Bradley said seven other states have adopted similar legislation.

The bill is now before the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. Chairman Tony Klein of East Montpelier says he wants the committee to act quickly.

(Klein) "It’s important to a lot of people. If you own a dog, or you have a young child, this is important to you. And this is about public safety."

(Dillon) Klein says one benefit of the debate is that the public will learn more about the dangers of antifreeze poisoning.

(Klein) "When I look at my own situation, I have three dogs at home, and I know my cars leak antifreeze occasionally in the garage. Well, now I’m going to be much more cognizant of it and make sure it doesn’t happen."

(Dillon) The antifreeze industry is not opposed to the legislation. Klein said the bill may exempt antifreeze that’s sold in bulk containers, such as those used by car dealers and auto repair shops.

For VPR News, I’m John Dillon in Montpelier.

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