City is Slow When It Comes to Rats

The irony of it all! City Comptroller William Thompson says that the Department of Health response time for checking out rodent complaints generally lags. Though the Department of Health (and Mental Hygiene) has been improving its efforts, including starting the Rodent Control Initiative Program to rid particularly troubled areas of pests, the average time it takes the DOH to inspect a complaint is 30 days. Which isn't that good when we think about it, because the gestation period for a brown rat is just 21-23 days. The Comptroller also recommends better monitoring of rodent complaints, as many of them may be duplicated. The DOH agreed with the findings, but noted that rodent complaints had increased greatly. It's been said before, but why not have some super hungry cats prowl the streets?

Here's the DOHMH's rodent complaint form; you can also call 311. Rats like to hang out at some movie theaters and grocery stores. If you want to learn more about the furry fiend, we highly recommend the book Rats. And check out this super gross but very cool photograph of a rat decomposing in Brooklyn!

Photograph of rat smoking a posthumous cigarette from Jason Toney

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By Jen Chung in News on June 27, 2006 12:30 PM

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kwame

camille acey

Not amused !

I tend to think that people for whom use race as a dropping point are stupid jack-asses with a lot of time on there hands and not enough mental ability to use it ! Have a nice day Camille

Not amused !

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. So the rats are taking over the city now? Think it's a little to late for that. Might as well get accustomed to the sight because them nasty disease carriers are going nowhere!!!!! In the picture the dead rat has a butt in it's mouth. That's really smart, Play with the damn thing and risk catching something from it ! That's really smart, Whoever did that is really stupid! I understand the point you were trying to make just think about it next time!!!

rj

i took nearly that exact photo on the same day...

http://www.rosajurjevics.com/photography/images/20060502152332_20050904011332_img_8119.jpg

Camille Acey

I am from California and we certainly didn't have so many rats there. I think it is a big west coast phenomenon. Someone once told me that they came from the slave ships. I tend to believe it.

Judas Iscariot

I love that rat. I had the pleasure of seeing it in person last year while walking on 13th St. I found the desuccated rat more disturbing than a rat with a fag in his mouth.

threetoedsloth

How many times have we got to see that rat picture?? It makes me queasy!

itchy

Have you guys actually read Rats? A cat will not kill a rat...rats will kill it. In the past, when cats (and even dogs) were sent in to kill rats, they only proved to be food for rats. Additionally, rats eat garbage, so as long as there are people in any given area, there will be rats. They live in every part of the world that humans inhabit.

As for the 10 rats to every 1 person in NYC, it's false. Read the book; it's all there in all its gruesome detail.

monk

forgive my ignorance, but how is that ironic?

Anon E. Mouse

If it weren't for rats we wouldn't have White Castle

Yes, I'm aware that's an interchangable statement

BByy

Rats are anywhere you be.

I try to know it.

The Rat King

Q: Why does NYC have a rat problem?

A: BECAUSE PEOPLE (New Yorkers) ARE FUCKING SLOBS.

They say for every person in NYC there are 10 rats...

You cannot win against the rats!