The Kiambu county government has aquired stores of the poison straychnine in order to reduce the population of ferrel dogs and cats within the county. straychnine is a very toxic poison to animals as well as humans. There are 3 important and valid reasons why this planned mass poisoning should be stopped. 1. straychnine is very toxic to humans. This poison can enter the human blood stream either by ingestion or through inhalation or through intravenous means (including eyes and nasal membrane). This means humans coming into contact with the poison is at risk of poisoning which could result in death. Straychnine can also contaminate water sources and if washed by rains into the water table and into the water supply then further human poisoning is likely. 2. The poisoning will effect more than the ferrel dog population. The poison can be transferred from birds and rodents to unintended animals. Birds and rodents can cross into compounds where they can poison owned dogs and cats. Further to the above there is a potential of accidental poisoning of livestock in Kiambu county. Grazing goats, pigs, chickens and cows can potentially come into contact with the poison and potentially will die. This has a serious economic implications for the people of Kiambu county. 3. In addition to the above points, the poisoning of animals in Kenya is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in the Laws of Kenya (CAP.360) as follows: PART II – OFFENCES IN RELATION TO ANIMALS 3. Acts and omissions which amount to cruelty and penalties therefore (1) A person shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty if he— (g) wilfully, without reasonable cause or excuse, administers any poisonous or injurious drug or substance to an animal or causes any such substance to be taken by an animal; (k) hunts, kills or destroys any animal in such a manner as to cause that animal more suffering than is necessary Straychnine is a very inhumane means of killing animals. Death is not immediate it is slow, involving seizures and asphyxiation. This is cruel and very unnecessary when there are additional methods for controlling population. The mass barbaric poisoning of ferral dogs in Kiambu county needs to be stopped!