D.C. officials and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli are in a war over rats. Cuccinelli is accusing the District of protecting the pests and relocating them to his state.
Officials in the District beg to differ. They say rats are not protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 and can be euthanized.
Constituents from all sides are furious over any perceived sympathy for rodents, and some have sent threatening emails to D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The emails use vulgar language when referring to Cheh and one is a borderline threat.
Cuccinelli issued this statement in response to the emails Cheh received:
“I want to ensure the humane treatment of animals, just like anyone else. But when it comes to animals that may be carrying disease, human health must come first. This is a serious public health issue, and we should resolve it by sitting down together to find a solution, which I have proposed for almost a year, with little response from the D.C. City Council.
“Additionally, there is no place in this discussion for threatening or rude emails or phone calls to officials, no matter on which side of the issue you fall.”
Letter Cuccinelli received from the USDA:
Letter from Cuccinelli to D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray:
Letter to Vincent Gray Re DC Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 9-26-11
