Rights group calls for humane treatment of rats

Manila: An animal rights group called for more humane treatment of rodents as Chinese around the world are due to usher in the "Year of the Rat".

The group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), said that while rats are largely considered as pests and carriers of diseases, they deserve to be treated humanely just as any other creature.

Peta called on Filipinos to stop using glue traps to get rid of rats, mice and other rodents.

Ineffective

According to Peta campaign coordinator Jennilyn Tagasa, contrary to common perception, the use of glue or adhesive traps is not effective in killing rats.

"They just serve to terrify the creatures and cause them a great deal of suffering," Tagasa said while pointing out that rats and mice wriggle and struggle desperately in a grotesque dance of death after their limbs and faces get stuck in the adhesive.

"It's a slow painful death, if they die at all," she said

Tagasa aired Peta's call to "honour the Year of the Rat" by not using glue traps on the rodents.

"Make It a Year for Rats - Don't Buy Glue Traps," she said.

Venerated

While despised by most around the world as carriers of diseases like plague, rats are venerated by the Chinese because of their courage and ingenuity.