KEY POINTS:
A letter claiming responsibility for the theft of 100kg of 1080 poison in Westport last week has been sent to the local newspaper.
The Westport News has passed the letter, which threatens to use the poison to kill local pets, onto police.
Four 25kg bags of about 1080 pellets were stolen after a thief or thieves broke into a secure yard at Target Pest, a pest removal contractor for the West Coast Regional Council.
1080 is a controlled poison used to kill possums, and is only harmful to humans if consumed in very large amounts. It can also kill livestock, pets and wild animals.
The author of the anonymous, typewritten letter said they would use the poison to kill birds and animals including pets, to "show the public exactly what misery and agony 1080 causes".
The writer wanted aerial 1080 drops to cease, and said they were causing the destruction of the area's wildlife.
- NZPA
