REGINA – The Gophinator, an anhydrous ammonia-based rodent exterminator, met with the critical eye of Regina’s SPCA.
An animal protection officer approached Keith and Gary Maze at their new inventions trade show booth during last week’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show here.
Gary’s father Keith developed the unit from a traditional farm method of dealing with large gopher populations, using a field tank of anhydrous ammonia and a hose down the burrow entrance. The more portable unit fits in the back of a pick-up truck and includes a small tank, the valves and metering equipment and a hose and hand wand.
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“I figured this might happen some time,” said Gary after being informed of the investigation by the SPCA officer. “It actually took longer than I thought. It really isn’t the best time or place right here at the show though.”
The Gophinator has been on the market for two years and is in its second season at the large farm show’s new inventions section.
Keith Maze said the SPCA’s concern about the method of killing the rodents was not an issue for him.
“They (SPCA) are afraid it is slow and painful. We know it is fast. Often before you can pull the hose out the (gophers) are dead. Less than 30 seconds or so. You can’t tell me that poison or some other method is going to be less painful or faster,” said the inventor and seed grower.
In its second year of production the Gophinator has arrived on 10 farms in Western Canada with 12 more units on order, say the Mazes.
“At $3,950 and a waiting list, we know it works. Farmers know it works and I’m sure once the SPCA does some testing, that’s what they said they’re going to do, they’ll know it works too,” said Gary.
The Regina SPCA confirmed it was investigating the product but would make no other comment.
