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Rats causing problems in Brownsville Township

By Herald Standard Staff 2 min read

By Christine Haines Herald-Standard

BROWNSVILLE TWP. – A problem with rats in the area of Union Street has residents and officials scurrying in Brownsville Township.

Resident Rosalie Jenkins says rats are in her Labrador retriever’s dog box, even while the dog is sleeping in it.

“It’s been going on since July. They put poison in a couple of places, but it’s still going on,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said she and her husband have put out traps, but not poison, because of the dog, and catch rats on a regular basis, but the problem doesn’t seem to be going away.

“In the summer it was so bad that when we put the dog’s food out (the rats) would run down the hill and eat the food,” Jenkins said.

She and her husband resolved that problem by staying outside with the dog while it ate, keeping the rats at bay.

Homer Yeardie, chairman of the township supervisors, said a resident with a garage full of items had set out poison this summer and the problem seemed to be alleviated, but it has resurfaced.

“The first thing is we need to see if we can figure out where they’re coming from,” Yeardie said.

Yeardie said that there is a culvert and a stream nearby, and those areas may be harboring rats as well as the garage full of junk. Yeardie said getting rid of the rats on private property ultimately falls to the residents.

“We can’t afford to buy poison to put out, plus we’re not going to be liable,” Yeardie said.

Yeardie has suggested to Jenkins that she take the dog inside or move it to a different area for several days so the rats coming onto her property can be poisoned without endangering the dog, but Jenkins said that’s not an option.

“We brought her into the basement last year and she tore up the basement,” Jenkins said of her dog.

Jenkins said she has not called an exterminator.

Yeardie said the township is continuing to explore options for dealing with the problem.

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