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Disturbing Video: Dog Killing Rats In Washington Square
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 19, 2011
Modified Jan 19, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 19, 2011
Modified Jan 19, 2011
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The only thing that would make us feel okay about this video is if the rats were replaced with bed bugs... but as it is, this is pretty disturbing. NYC the Blog posted the below video today (though it was filmed a few months ago), showing an energetic little pup chasing after rats in Washington Square Park. Once he gets a hold of one the sound of its squeaks will haunt you forever.
The city does have a rat problem, but maulings like this just seem... wrong. This pup killed 10-15 rats that night (according to the videographer)! The site points out this isn't the first dog to chase rat for sport, but they also note that killing or hunting wildlife in city parks is illegal. Are rats wildlife? According to the Parks Department's Phil Abramson it doesn't sound like it—he told us, "I’m not familiar with any regulations about killing rats."
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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