Need to Know
- Incident: Police in Eugene, Oregon, removed over 100 pet rats living in two parked cars.
- Conditions: The rats had no food and very little water. The cars were filled with feces and trash.
- Outcome: The local humane society took in 52 rats, and three of those gave birth to 18 babies shortly after.
Police in Oregon discovered a troubling situation involving more than 100 pet rats in two parked vehicles, prompting an investigation into neglect. The Eugene Police Department (EPD) reported their findings in an October 1 social media post, detailing that officers were called after two cars were towed on September 23.
Upon investigation, they found many rats of varying sizes and colors inside the vehicles, which were filled with rat feces and debris, and lacking necessary food and water.
Despite the owner’s attempts to rescue the rats using yogurt as bait, catching them proved difficult. Eventually, officers managed to capture a handful of the rodents, but many remained.
The city’s Greenhill Humane Society received 52 rats, but the conditions were already noted to be inadequate and some of the animals had serious health issues. Soon after their transfer, three rats gave birth to 18 offspring.
Additional rats are believed to still be residing in the abandoned cars, and animal welfare officers are providing food and water until they can be relocated. The neglect investigation remains ongoing, and the EPD has encouraged the public to report any unusual sightings or smells.
