Petaluma Man Who Kept 1,300 Rats Blames a 'Force Of Nature'

Los Angeles Times ^ | 06-30-2006 | Associated Press

[boris]

Petaluma Man Who Kept 1,300 Rats Blames a 'Force Of Nature' From the Associated Press June 30, 2006

PETALUMA, Calif. — It all started four years ago, when Roger Dier bought a baby rat to feed his pet Indian python.

But when he saw the furry little critter squeaking for its life, the lifelong animal lover said he didn't have the heart to let it become just another snake snack.

"I couldn't stand it," he told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. "I took the rat out of the cage and got to know it."

After that, Dier was hooked on the rodents, which he described as gentle, lovable and an endless source of entertainment. He bought four more at the pet store — but didn't spay them.

[snip]

Most of the rats have been euthanized, some because they were too sick or injured and others because they weren't socialized enough to be adopted, said Nancee Tavares, manager of Petaluma Animal Services. "We believe quality of life is important, and there was no quality of life for these rats," she said.

Rat lovers have expressed outrage at the killings, but Tavares said the adoptions have gone too slowly for all the rats to find homes.

[facedown]

Petaluma Man Who Kept 1,300 Rats Blames a 'Force Of Nature'

Yeah, schizophrenia.

[laotzu]

And....he votes!!

[NonValueAdded]

Willard lives!

[woofie]

they must breed like rats

[beezdotcom]

Did they kill the one named Ben? That's all that matters...

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Petaluma Man Who Kept 1,300 Rats Blames a 'Force Of Nature'

I live in The People's Republic of New Jersey, where there are about 1,300 Rats in public office, elected by a force of nature called liberal stupidity.

[austinaero]

"I took the rat out of the cage and got to know it."

Could he be referring to -
Kennedy?
Kerry?
Dean?

"know" as in what sense? Biblically?

[Condor51]

Petaluma Man ... Blames a 'Force Of Nature'

Uh-huh. But thankfully in the other 49 States (and Four Territories IIRC), possession of, and ingestion of that "force of nature" is illegal. (sarc)

[BadAndy]

You can train a rat to poop only in it's cage, but you can't train them not to urinate every few minutes. They would be nice pets if they did't pee continuously.

[vladimir998]

"We believe quality of life is important, and there was no quality of life for these rats," she said.

Lady...uh...they're RATS!!!!

[Louis Foxwell]

Astounding!
The animal shelter kills rats because they have no quality of life.
Is this a prescription for the 2 legged variety?

[Louis Foxwell]

Occuring in a place named PETA LUMA is there any other expectation?

[Uncle Hal]

I live in Petaluma. A couple of years ago they discovered a woman who had something like 200 cats in her home. Maybe it is something in the water.

[Iwo Jima]

Too bad that lady couldn't get together with this guy. Problem solved.

[Uncle Hal]

Excellent point. You get the gold star.

[OmahaFields]

"Rat lovers"

Names please.

[Doomonyou]

A couple of years ago they discovered a woman who had something like 200 cats in her home.

-----------

Petaluma animal control workers have experience dealing with hoarders. In 2001, they found 196 cats living inside a Petaluma home owned by a San Francisco resident, Marilyn Barletta.

Above from an earlier thread.

I live in Petaluma.

Same here.

Hey there Uncle Hal, I believe you are the first other Petaluma Freeper I've seen besides my own bad self.

[Uncle Hal]

I am glad there is another conservative up here in this liberal rat hole. It is tough being a member of the GOP when we are out numbered 2 to 1.Strangely, on the street I live most of the people are registered Republicans

[Doomonyou]

on the street I live most of the people are registered Republicans

Must be the rich side of town.;)

I know quite a few conservatives as well, (Hunting buddies, Friends at church, wife, kids), but, unfortunately, we are out numbered.