Rats

When Humane Rescue Alliance launched a program to connect un-adoptable cats with local businesses — which they’d protect from rodents in exchange for food and shelter — the D.C. animal rescue group wasn’t sure what to expect.

As any Washingtonian can attest, this city has rats. In my eight years here, including 2½ in Ward 1, where rodent-related calls are the most frequent, I’ve seen my share.

The District for years has been plagued by a growing mischief in its midst. Rats — the four-legged, bewhiskered kind — have been spotted roaming the streets, scurrying across alleys and eating their way through trash cans.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Andre Pittman and Gregory Cornes are on a mission to rid Washington of opportunistic vermin.

“Hold this. How much do you think it weighs?” Will Crane hands me a plastic garbage bag, the kind you buy at grocery stores, careful to have me grasp it by the top. The bottom hangs low and limp. I think I know what’s inside. I don’t think…