\n“We respectfully urge you to move away from any ineffective and cruel killing methods to control rodent populations and to consider the use of rat contraception programs, which are more humane, effective long-term solutions,” Reiman said in her letter<\/a> Wednesday. “Even though rats may be among the city’s least popular residents, they deserve humane treatment.”\n<\/p>\n In a statement, Reiman said rats are considered empathetic, family-oriented and compassionate creatures. She also sent Parker a complimentary mug that says “Rats Have Rights” to celebrate the “remarkable rodents.”\n<\/p>\n Advocates with PETA sent Mayor Cherelle Parker a mug that says ‘Rats Have Rights.’<\/p>\n The Department of Public Health’s Vector Control Department handles rat control measures in residential and public areas. The Office of Food Protection responds to rat infestations in businesses and food establishments. Both agencies\u00a0provide<\/a> investigative, treatment and prevention services.<\/p>\n \nIn her letter, Reiman criticized the city’s recent purchases of rodenticides, saying they cause a “slow and painful death.”\u00a0<\/p>\n \n“Poisons and other lethal methods, like cruel glue traps, create a temporary vacuum that nearby rats will quickly fill, fail to address the root of the problem and lead to an endless cycle of killing,” she wrote. “When paired with common-sense prevention measures \u2026 rodent contraception can help reduce rat populations without causing animals to suffer.”<\/p>\n \nRat contraception is ingested either as a liquid or a solid and works to curb reproduction in the animals. Baltimore, Chicago and Washington are among the cities that have implemented birth control programs by placing contraception in bait stations in affected areas.\n<\/p>\n![\"Rats](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rats_have_rights_2.width-704.png\")
Provided Image\/PETA<\/p>\n