Mansfield Local News

[Jeanne]

This is freakin pathetic...

Alleged rat farm has Madison Township neighborhood upset

http://mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps...05/1002/NEWS01

What irritates me, what was the parent thinking allowing the child to "run" up to any animal neither of them have any knowledge of its disposition be it wild or domestic.

And, the fact that the animal was killed so inhumanely....

Ohh, and the ppl living around this "supposed" rat farm guessing at and not really knowing how many of what species for sure b/c it is all rumors....

now would'nt they feel totally stupid if they found out there is no rat farm, and it was someone escaped pet??

[JLC]

I'll say this...if someone near me were breeding rodents for whatever reason...and they began to show up in my yard and/or house....you betcha I'd be wanting something done about it.


If you breed rodents, you're absolutely responsible for keeping them from escaping. If your neighbors see your rodents, you can bet there'll be an outcry. They're probably at least as reviled as snakes in most cases.

Responsible keeping...AND discretion....for snakes and rodents both.

[iceman25]

Quote:
"A friend at Richert's cookout took care of the rat, killing it with a hammer so it wouldn't threaten the children."

"He had to swing (the hammer) several times 'til he finally got the rat."
End quote.

[Jeanne]

I'll say this...if someone near me were breeding rodents for whatever reason...and they began to show up in my yard and/or house....you betcha I'd be wanting something done about it.


If you breed rodents, you're absolutely responsible for keeping them from escaping. If your neighbors see your rodents, you can bet there'll be an outcry. They're probably at least as reviled as snakes in most cases.

Responsible keeping...AND discretion....for snakes and rodents both.

I agree about the responsible part as far as keeping these animals, and I too would be concerned if rodents started showing up in my yard... if there is a rodent farm, the person needs to learn to be more responsible or just not breed rodents...

but I cant help but still wonder why the child was allowed to run up to any animal not personally known by them at all. I have taught my kids to NEVER approach any animal wild or domestic if they do not know the animals disposition to avoid possible issues. Had the animal of been a squirrel, and it bit the kid... they would not be making a big ol' stink about this.. other than trying to hunt down all the squirrels in the area and kill them/trap them for the testing of rabies....

I think the whole responsibilty thing lies with not just the "breeder who owns this supposed rat farm", but the parent teaching thier child to not approach animals they dont know.

[Aric]

What irritates me, what was the parent thinking allowing the child to "run" up to any animal neither of them have any knowledge of its disposition be it wild or domestic.

Thats how Turtles became illegal to sell here.

But I agree with Judy, if a rat farms rats start escapeing and getting into and around our house I would be pretty upset. Then again its pretty dumb for the parents to let their children to run up to it.

[Jeanne]

Thats how Turtles became illegal to sell here.

Yep, thats why you cannot sell/possess certain turtles here either!

[frankykeno]

As a person who breeds rats in my home I complete agree that it's up to me to make sure I don't have escapes. My neighbours don't know about the rats and won't know as I feel they might not be comfortable or understanding of the measures we take to make sure rats do not get loose from our colony.

On the other hand I agree with Jeanne. It's ridiculous to allow a toddler to run madly at any unrestrained creature be it rat, squirrel, a wandering dog, whatever. Having someone beat a creature to death with multiple blows from a hammer is cruel and I hope that poor small child didn't witness that as I'm sure that's more traumatic than anything that else in the incident. As a parent part of my job is to teach my kids to be responsible around creatures and if I need to intercede to protect the kids...to pattern my behaviour appropriately so the kids learn what is right and moral to do (IMHO).

Very typical that folks fear what they don't know, and assume that because they fear it, it MUST be bad and out to get them. We see that with our snakes all the time. Some folks are just plain afraid....you ask them why...what specifically did a rat or snake ever do to you....they say nothing, just that they are nasty and evil...typical human fear response.