Posted on 04/03/2007 3:55:21 PM PDT by Coleus
New Orleans, La. -- Today, after learning that New Orleans plans to poison rats living in the city as part of its "Rat Busters" program, PETA fired off a letter to Mayor Ray Nagin urging him to work with PETA to develop a humane, effective program to permanently reduce the rat population instead. PETA points out that poisoning rats is not only cruel but also ineffective. Rats from surrounding areas will simply move in to fill the void left by those who were killed, and as long as habitats such as abandoned buildings and food sources such as garbage are accessible, rats will thrive.
PETA also points out that rat-control expert Dr. Bruce Colvin had success in reducing Bostons rat population by studying rats habitat preferences and breeding patterns. PETA offers to work with New Orleans officials to implement a similar program. Possible steps the city could take include the following:
· Bring together city officials, scientists, and community activists to develop a plan of action for the city.
· Create a "Rat Coalition" with the citys hotel and restaurant associations in which all participants agree to keep the area rodent-proofed.
· Impose fines on hotels, restaurants, and apartment buildings for improper sanitation.
"Mayor Nagin needs to control rat populations with effective, humane meansinstead of by cruelly poisoning them," says PETA wildlife biologist Stephanie Boyles. "New Orleans is a city that can overcome any adversityeven a rat problemwith creativity and heart."
PETAs letter to Mayor Nagin follows. March 21, 2007
The Honorable C. Ray Nagan , Mayor of New Orleans, New Orleans City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., Rm. 2E04, New Orleans, LA 70112,
Dear Mayor Nagan:
PETA is the worlds largest animal rights organization, with more than 1.6 million members and supporters. We have recently learned that New Orleans is planning to poison rats living in the city as part of its "Rat Busters" program. Not only is poisoning rats cruel, it also wont solve New Orleans rat infestation. More rats from surrounding areas will simply move in to fill the void left by those who were killed. As long as garbage is plentiful and habitats like abandoned buildings are attractive and accessible, rats will continue to thrive in New Orleans.
Rat-control experts like Dr. Bruce Colvin have repeatedly demonstrated that large-scale abatement programs do nothing to address the long-term problems associated with rat populations in urban areas. By studying rat habitat preferences and breeding patterns, Dr. Colvin was able to develop a strategic plan that successfully reduced the rat population in the city of Boston. After implementing Dr. Colvins action plan, administrators in Boston reported a 95 percent decline in the amount of poison used and a significant reduction in the number of rats trappedas well as a reduction in the number of rodent sightings at construction sites.
PETA would be happy to offer New Orleans our assistance in developing an effective, humane program to reduce the rat population permanently. Possible steps include the following:
· Organize a "Rat Summit" to bring together city officials, scientists like Dr. Colvin, and community activists to develop a plan of action.
· Create a "Rat Coalition" with the citys hotel and restaurant associations.
· Impose fines on hotels, restaurants, and apartment buildings for improper sanitation.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please let us know how we can help. I can be reached at 757-622-7382.
Very truly yours, Stephanie Boyles, M.S., Wildlife Biologist Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department
Translated: “Peta wants to kill little children with the plague and other diseases.”
I could have SWORN this was satire..
But wouldn’t improving sanitation and denying rats their food sources cause the poor darlings to starve to death? I would think PETA would rather provide rat feeding grounds to make sure no rats ever go to sleep hungry.
Rats are VERMIN. They have no rights.
I am surprised by Nagin but not by PETA.
Do they extend that concern to mosquitoes? I’m guessing their plan for preventing outbreaks of diseases like West Nile is to first hold a “Mosquito Summit” and then have everyone walk around in plastic enviornment suits.
Yes, develop and follow complex rat-control plan for a city that couldn’t even develop and follow an evacuation plan on which the lives of the citizens depended.
Dead is dead. Is there a humane way to kill anything?
In all series-ness though, NOLA has got far bigger problems than being cruel to rats. Good thing PETA doesn't get upset about out-of-control murder and mayhem amongst people ... 'cause then they could do some good in NOLA.
I am just speechless.
Somebody pinch me before a PETA sponsored rat bites my azz.
Duh! PETA are kooks and the support the (DemocRATS). Now if they were poisoning elephants, they'd be ok with that (or maybe not).
I just supported Dan Rather on another thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1811500/posts , and here I am having to back Ray Nagin.
I guess they don’t have enough snakes and alligators in New Orleans to keep the rats in check. So poison away.
Cats, Monitor Lizards, and snakes could take care some of the problem. I do think that businesses need to be extra vigilant, and not because the jerks from PETA say so.
Hey, what about giving kids small rifles and paying them to shoot the rats? Entertainment for the kiddies, and goodbye rat problem. Naaaah too easy, and the little stinkers would probably start shooting each other.
Does this mean the DemocRATs are done in Louisiana?
How about every member of PETA adopting a thousand rats each?
RATS are VERMIN, and PETA are VERMIN too!
The Great Fire of London solved that city's rat problem. Maybe they just need to burn New Orleans to the ground?
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