The Plagues of New York

First an earthquake, then a hurricane, and now — the dreaded Gambian Pouched Rat:

A photo making the rounds shows Housing Authority worker Jose Rivera minutes after he speared the humongous rodent with a pitchfork at the Marcy Houses.

It’s covered in white fur and looks well-fed. It appears to be about three feet long, including its hideously dangling tail.

And Rivera, 48, says it’s not the only one. He insists that while he was filling a rat hole last week, three came running out — but he was only able to nail one.

The photo is so violent, so disturbing, so Shocking! we insist you sign a release before continuing.

Then again, after the hurricane hits, it may be your only choice for sustenance.

Giant rat killed by pitchfork in Marcy Houses is believed to be Gambian pouched rat [NY Daily News]
6 Comments

I’m so glad that photo’s not hi-res.

Went to Fairway to get a few supplies and people were stripping bottled water off the shelves as fast as they could stock them.

@blogenfreude: The Pepacton is releasing millions of gallons to prepare for the huge surge off the mountains. I bought an oil lamp. I love it when we have blackouts. We have streams to supply water. Can you say the same?

I feel bad for that rat. They’re intelligent and amiable creatures. It’s not their fault we project our nightmares onto them.

@Benedick HRH KFC: They are the companion of death, and the handmaiden of plague.

@Tommmcatt Be Fat, And That Be That: Whatever. The norwegian rat did bad but the rat as companion does about as well as a dachshund.

@Benedick HRH KFC: @Tommmcatt Be Fat, And That Be That: All of my friends loved Desdemona. Even if she peed in their laps.

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