Australia NSW peta mouse plague mice breed, aleesha naxakis on 2gb radio

PETA accuses the government of carrying out a 'painful' extermination of the mouse plague.

PETA has blamed state governments for the explosion of giant mouse plagues in regional New South Wales and Queensland, and criticized farmers for poisoning the rodents in a "inhumane" manner.

PETA spokesperson Aleesha Naxakis told 3AW's Neil Mitchell that mass poisoning of mice will condemn hundreds of thousands of rodents to unnecessarily gruesome deaths.

She contended that the government's failure to act sooner meant that opportunities for more humane control methods, such as trap and release, had long passed.

"Millions of mice will gasp for air, choke, and bleed internally," Ms Naxakis explained.

"Occasionally, it takes days for mice to die a slow and agonizing death."

Swarms of mice across western New South Wales and parts of Queensland have wreaked havoc on farms and homes, causing close to $100 million in damage. Additionally, the infestation is wreaking havoc on the mental and emotional well-being of farmers and residents battling the plague.

PETA's position has enraged farmers whose crops, grain, and hay stores have been destroyed by mice.

PETA members, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said, are "idiots who have never ventured outside the city."

"Their reasoning is reprehensible," he stated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described PETA's position as "pretty dopey" in an interview with Ray Hadley on 2GB.

"The comments are completely insensitive to the farmers' plight," he said.

However, Ms Naxakis stated that the government should have implemented more humane methods years ago.

"Farmers have been pleading for assistance for months," she explained.

"It is completely unjust that these mice will suffer these heinous deaths. "

This resulted from the (Government's) inaction months ago.

"The situation has deteriorated to the point where not only farmers, but also mice, are suffering."

She added that other small animals that prey on mice, such as owls, dogs, and cats, will suffer and die as well.

Ms Naxakis stated that PETA were "realists" who recognized that the only way for government officials and farmers to manage the crippling infestation was through fatal poisoning.

When Mitchell pressed Ms Naxakis on the more humane methods PETA advocated, Ms Naxakis stated that trapping and birth control were viable options.

Humane trapping, she explained, entailed the "gentle release" of the unharmed animal into other areas.

She described the current state of affairs as "dangerous" for wildlife and farmers.

The NSW government announced a $50 million rescue package last week, including free poison for farmers and $1000 in mice bait rebates for small businesses and $500 for households.

According to a mammal ecology expert, the onset of winter may help cull the mouse population.

Individuals have reported being bitten while sleeping by mice that have taken over barns and homes.

This week, footage of the mouse plague went viral.

The mouse plague has thrived since last year's bumper harvest, fueled by favorable weather conditions and abundant food supplies.