More than 100 pet rats have been removed from two vehicles in Eugene, Oregon, and police believe more are still inside.
The discovery began around 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23, when Eugene Police and the department’s Animal Welfare Unit were called to assist as two vehicles were being towed from the area of Cheshire Avenue and Washington Street.
One of them, a blue Saturn covered with a tarp, immediately presented a problem. When an officer lifted the tarp, several rats were visible inside.
Police described rats of different colors and sizes amid feces, trash and chewed seat cushions, with no food and very little water. The animals’ owner told police he had rescued them and tried using yogurt to help catch them, but the rats proved difficult to corral.
Too Many Rats
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A patrol officer managed to capture a handful, but there were too many to remove at the scene. More rats were also found in the man’s nearby gold Chevrolet Suburban.
Greenhill Humane Society initially received 52 rats in eight cages. Staff reported that the space housing them had been dirty and inadequate for that many animals, while several of the rats were suffering from acute or chronic medical conditions.
The population grew almost immediately.
Three of the rats gave birth to a combined 18 newborns shortly after arriving at Greenhill, according to the police department.
Still Inside
Both vehicles were eventually taken to a towing yard, where additional rats were recovered.
Even then, the job was not finished. Police said a large number of rats were still believed to be inside the vehicles.
The Animal Welfare Unit has continued providing food and water while waiting for Greenhill to have enough room to take additional animals.
The case remains open as a neglect investigation.