Quck answer
R.A.T.S. (Rats Abatement Teams) is a unique organization that uses dogs to detect and eliminate rats in New York City. The dogs have been trained to locate rats in buildings and outdoor spaces, allowing for a more effective and humane approach to pest control. R.A.T.S. also offers educational programs to teach the public about rat prevention and management. With their innovative methods and dedicated dogs, R.A.T.S. is leading the way in rat abatement in urban areas.
Pets
On a typical night in New York City, instead of going out dancing or trying new restaurants, some people take their dogs out to catch and kill rats. The Ryders Alley Trencherfed Society (R.A.T.S) has been doing this since 1995. They prowl the streets with their pack of dogs, bred and trained to flush rats from hiding places and kill them.
Dogs Bred to Rat
R.A.T.S. has around 65 members who mostly use border terriers, Norfolk terriers, fox terriers, and dachshunds to do their dirty work. The smaller breeds flush out the rats from garbage, and the longer-legged breeds chase them down. Once they catch a rat, they shake it to kill it and bring it back to their owner, who puts it in a bag to dispose of it.
The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have criticized this practice for being inhumane to rats. There is also a concern that the dogs could contract leptospirosis, a bacterial infection common in rats. However, ratting with dogs is not illegal in the city, and some residents are even encouraged to contact R.A.T.S. if they notice an outdoor rat infestation. The team has first aid supplies for minor bites and scratches, but the dogs have not suffered any serious harm.
In 2017, the Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich honored R.A.T.S. for their work, giving commendations to the humans and bones and beef jerky to the dogs. For dogs outside the city who want to do what they were born to do, there’s barn hunt, a sport where dogs track rats over obstacles but cannot kill them.
Fascinating Information
During the 19th century, the phrase “trencher fed” was commonly used in literature to describe a method of managing hounds in which individual farmers kept their own hounds and terriers at home. On hunting day, these animals were brought together with other hounds to form a pack. A trencher, which was a flat piece of bread lining a wooden plate, was used to serve food. Any uneaten portions of the trencher, along with leftovers, were given to the dogs as their dinner.
FAQ
1. What is R.A.T.S.?
R.A.T.S. stands for Rapid Assessment Team Support and it is a group of highly trained dogs that are used to locate and identify people in a variety of situations.
2. How are R.A.T.S. dogs trained?
R.A.T.S. dogs go through extensive training to learn how to locate and identify people in a variety of environments. They are trained to work in both urban and wilderness settings and are taught to use their sense of smell to track down individuals who may be hidden or lost.
3. What breeds of dogs are used in R.A.T.S.?
R.A.T.S. uses a variety of breeds of dogs, including Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Bloodhounds. Each breed has its own unique abilities and strengths that are utilized in different situations.
4. What types of situations do R.A.T.S. dogs assist in?
R.A.T.S. dogs are used in a variety of situations, including search and rescue missions, disaster response efforts, and criminal investigations. They are also used to locate missing persons and to assist in the recovery of human remains.
5. How do R.A.T.S. dogs assist in search and rescue missions?
R.A.T.S. dogs are trained to track the scent of a missing person and can follow that scent through a variety of terrain and environments. They are often used in conjunction with human search teams and can cover large areas quickly and efficiently.
6. How do R.A.T.S. dogs assist in disaster response efforts?
R.A.T.S. dogs are used to locate individuals who may be trapped or injured in a disaster zone, such as in the aftermath of an earthquake or a hurricane. They can help to identify areas where people may be located and can assist rescue teams in locating survivors.
7. How do R.A.T.S. dogs assist in criminal investigations?
R.A.T.S. dogs are trained to locate and identify evidence, such as weapons or drugs, that may be hidden in a variety of environments. They are also used to track suspects who may have fled a crime scene.
8. How do R.A.T.S. dogs stay safe while working in dangerous situations?
R.A.T.S. dogs are trained to work in a variety of dangerous situations and are equipped with protective gear, such as booties and vests, to keep them safe. They are also trained to obey commands from their handlers and to stay focused on their tasks, even in chaotic environments.
9. How can someone become a R.A.T.S. dog handler?
Becoming a R.A.T.S. dog handler requires extensive training and experience working with dogs. Individuals interested in becoming a handler should contact R.A.T.S. for more information on the requirements and training process.
10. How can someone support R.A.T.S.?
Individuals can support R.A.T.S. by making a donation to the organization or by volunteering their time to assist with training or fundraising efforts. R.A.T.S. also offers merchandise for sale, with proceeds going towards supporting the organization and its dogs.
11. How can someone request the assistance of R.A.T.S. dogs?
Requests for assistance from R.A.T.S. dogs can be made by contacting the organization directly. The dogs are available for deployment in a variety of situations and can be utilized by law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, and disaster response organizations.
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