"What to do about D.C.'s rat problem? Release the terriers!"

[Anonymous]

***Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions and images of dogs hunting rats that could upset some readers***

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/interactive/2023/rat-hunters-dc-dogs/

I read this article with great interest. I support any measures to curb DC's rodent problems!

"Washington has a rat problem. During the earliest months of the pandemic, the rodent population dispersed as restaurants shut down and office workers stayed home. But when people and their trash came back into the public sphere, so did the rats — with a vengeance. As of July, there had been nearly 11,000 service-request calls to the city this year regarding rat infestations, according to the D.C. Department of Health. There were approximately 13,000 calls for the entirety of 2022."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:***Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions and images of dogs hunting rats that could upset some readers***

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/interactive/2023/rat-hunters-dc-dogs/

I read this article with great interest. I support any measures to curb DC's rodent problems!

"Washington has a rat problem. During the earliest months of the pandemic, the rodent population dispersed as restaurants shut down and office workers stayed home. But when people and their trash came back into the public sphere, so did the rats — with a vengeance. As of July, there had been nearly 11,000 service-request calls to the city this year regarding rat infestations, according to the D.C. Department of Health. There were approximately 13,000 calls for the entirety of 2022."

The tug 'o rat photo was particularly endearing.

So who has a rat terrier? I think it's time for a draft - we're at war!

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why people don't just get rat poison and spread them around places where garbage is discarded, like dumpsters and garbage cans, alleys and overgrown areas where the rats nest. If I had rats in or around my house, I'd be doing this and scattering them around my house, garbage and alley. I have no issue poisoning pest infestations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why people don't just get rat poison and spread them around places where garbage is discarded, like dumpsters and garbage cans, alleys and overgrown areas where the rats nest. If I had rats in or around my house, I'd be doing this and scattering them around my house, garbage and alley. I have no issue poisoning pest infestations.

Poison harms more wildlife than just rats, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why people don't just get rat poison and spread them around places where garbage is discarded, like dumpsters and garbage cans, alleys and overgrown areas where the rats nest. If I had rats in or around my house, I'd be doing this and scattering them around my house, garbage and alley. I have no issue poisoning pest infestations.

Poison harms more wildlife than just rats, unfortunately.

+1 you have to be careful just "spreading" poison around when it can harm dogs, cats, and other wildlife, including wildlife that eats the poisoned dead wildlife

There is a rat "birth control" treatment that people can buy for use in their yard, though I don't know that DC is using it (yet)

[Anonymous]

This is awesome. They should have a special rat terrier happy hour at least once a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:***Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions and images of dogs hunting rats that could upset some readers***

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/interactive/2023/rat-hunters-dc-dogs/

I read this article with great interest. I support any measures to curb DC's rodent problems!

"Washington has a rat problem. During the earliest months of the pandemic, the rodent population dispersed as restaurants shut down and office workers stayed home. But when people and their trash came back into the public sphere, so did the rats — with a vengeance. As of July, there had been nearly 11,000 service-request calls to the city this year regarding rat infestations, according to the D.C. Department of Health. There were approximately 13,000 calls for the entirety of 2022."

The tug 'o rat photo was particularly endearing.

So who has a rat terrier? I think it's time for a draft - we're at war!

The photo was DISGUSTING 🤢

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:***Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions and images of dogs hunting rats that could upset some readers***

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/interactive/2023/rat-hunters-dc-dogs/

I read this article with great interest. I support any measures to curb DC's rodent problems!

"Washington has a rat problem. During the earliest months of the pandemic, the rodent population dispersed as restaurants shut down and office workers stayed home. But when people and their trash came back into the public sphere, so did the rats — with a vengeance. As of July, there had been nearly 11,000 service-request calls to the city this year regarding rat infestations, according to the D.C. Department of Health. There were approximately 13,000 calls for the entirety of 2022."

The tug 'o rat photo was particularly endearing.

So who has a rat terrier? I think it's time for a draft - we're at war!

The photo was DISGUSTING 🤢

It wasn't quite as bad as the dog with the bloody snout.

[Anonymous]

They only catch 20-30 rats at a time and Inthink the infestation in D.C. is a lot more than that…

[Anonymous]

This is vigilantism and I fully support it. When government fails to do its job the people must act.

[Anonymous]

I will say this is the one DC service that has been incredibly responsive every time I've placed a 311 request this year. Respond within a day or less, inspector calls before treatment, and reports how many burrows found and treated right after.

[Anonymous]

Rat poison is why DC does not have many hawks and eagles flying around. Out in the country folks use cats and Jack Russell's to control mice. This is so birds and other animals do not get poisoned.

[Anonymous]

DC has a long way to go with its rat population