The Enquirer reports nearly 170,000 animals were killed since 2008 at Rumpke’s Colerain Township landfill in a wildlife-control program conducted with the USDA. Rumpke says about 29 million were instead dispersed; columnist Dennis Doyle argues control serves public health.
Doyle cites the USDA’s identification of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli as concerns involving European starlings. Studies cited in the essay found landfill-feeding birds carried more antibiotic-resistance genes and potential pathogens than birds in less contaminated settings; research also found gulls can acquire antibiotic-resistant bacteria from human waste and potentially carry them long distances. Doyle says no evidence has been presented that a starling from Rumpke sickened anyone in Colerain Township.
Rumpke says more than 99% of animals encountered were dispersed using nonlethal methods. Oxbow Inc., which obtained the records, questioned the killings, and PETA urged Rumpke to use humane deterrents. Doyle calls for nonlethal methods whenever effective and says Rumpke and the USDA should disclose which species are killed, why, and whether reasonable alternatives have been tried.
