River rats are community’s problem
I am writing in regards to the Jan. 15 article, “Dawson council clarifies police situation.” The listing of our name stated that “where rats appear to be nesting” implies that we are the source of Dawson’s rat problem. Dawson has open sewage that runs into the river. Dawson’s rats are river rats. If we were the source, then the borough would not have bags of rat poison that they distribute to those in the community that need it.
The one time incident of a rat being seen was as it was going to my dog’s food bowl. They will go to any available food source. The only way to prevent a river rat from feeding from my dog’s food bowl is to not set out food for him. If I did not feed my dog, I would then be turned in for neglecting the dog.
As far as the brush pile, I am enclosing a copy of pictures of brush piles and trash piles in the community. Including my brush pile. These piles of brush are only a few. There were many that I did not photograph. As for the letter that is to be sent out, each individual in the community with a brush or trash pile had better get one. We do not have the only brush pile or the biggest brush pile.
I did discuss the single river rat with the current Mayor Barbara Wilhelm. I had told her how we had rat poison set out, which is not new. I have had rat poison set out for the past four years that I have lived here. Most people in the community do keep rat poison set out to help prevent infestation.
One would think that the community would focus on the real source of the river rats. Pinpointing single individuals causes discord and anger in the community. How can a community work together to solve a problem when they are angry with each other?
April D. Stewart
Dawson