A group of dog owners in Washington, D.C., known as the "Ratscallions," is taking the city's rat problem into their own hands, or rather, their dogs' mouths. They let their dogs hunt rats in the city as a form of pest control and a way to make their dogs happy. This unorthodox rat-hunting method is becoming more popular, especially as the city has seen a significant increase in rat infestations.
The city has received nearly 11,000 service requests this year related to rat infestations, compared to approximately 13,000 for the whole of the previous year. The rat hunters argue that their method is more humane than using glue traps or poison, as the dogs typically kill the rats quickly by breaking their spines. The practice is controversial, with animal welfare groups opposing it as cruel.
Despite the legal gray area surrounding rat hunting with dogs, the city has not taken a strong stance against it. The rat hunters believe their efforts disrupt rat breeding and force rats to abandon their homes. They see themselves as contributing to pest control while making their dogs happy.
The rat hunters, who primarily own terriers, take to the streets late at night, letting their dogs hunt rats in areas known for infestations. They even have nicknames for the rat-dense spots in their hunting grounds. After a successful night of hunting, they often take trophy photos with their dogs and the rats they've caught.
While this approach to rat control may raise ethical questions, it underscores the ongoing challenges cities face in managing rat populations and the creative solutions some residents adopt to address the problem.
Source: Washington Post
Photo: Getty Images