The Mouse Hunting Army in the US Capital

On a hot June night, dozens of dog walkers arrived at a Washington, D.C., entertainment venue to begin a weekly rat hunt.

“Good job, Henry!” Marshall Feinberg, 28, a dog trainer, shouted in praise as the lead dog killed the first rat.

Barking dogs, growling, and squeaking mice echoed during a mouse hunt at Adams Morgan, a nightlife hotspot in Washington, D.C.

Two rat hunting dogs in Adams Morgan, Washington, USA on June 3. Photo: AFP — Two rat hunting dogs in Adams Morgan, Washington, USA on June 3. Photo: *AFP*

Rats scurry through alleys behind restaurants, bars and clubs, scavenging for food in trash cans. Washington has consistently been one of the top five rat-infested cities in the US, a problem exacerbated by warmer winters, rising populations and the reopening of outdoor dining spaces since the Covid pandemic.

In 2022, the city recorded 13,400 calls to its rat hotline, up about 2,000 from the previous year. Residents are now taking up the fight against rats.

The stench of garbage and urine filled the air as the rat squad advanced. Sausage dogs, terriers, and greyhounds rummaged through trash cans, chasing rodents.

Their owners are diverse, black and white, young and old. Some live in the city, some in the suburbs, and some come from neighboring states after connecting with fellow rat-hunting enthusiasts through social media.

The Mouse Hunting Army in the US Capital — A group of people walking dogs hunting rats in Washington on June 3. Video : *AFP*

Bomani Mtume, 60, a retired police officer, joined the rat hunt with his terrier Barto in March, when the rat hunt began.

“The first time we went hunting, the rats didn’t even run. They stayed where they were, staring at the dogs,” he said. “Dogs that didn’t know each other started working together. It was amazing.”

Teddy Moritz, 75, known as "Grandma Death," is well known in the community. She brought her son and grandson from Delaware to Washington.

"Using dogs to hunt rats is an effective natural method," she said, explaining that rat poison takes several days to kill rats, while dogs catch them very quickly. "It's crude but effective."

A group of rat hunters in the Adams Morgan neighborhood on June 3. Photo: AFP — A group of rat hunters in the Adams Morgan neighborhood on June 3. Photo: *AFP*

Quick and agile, Mrs. Moritz kicked the trash can to scare the mouse hiding inside out. An experienced breeder of dog breeders, she had bred many sausage dogs and trained them to hunt rabbits, and now mice.

In three hours, they exterminated more than 30 rats. "This is a great example of teamwork. Dogs and humans working together, trying to control rats to help the city," Feinberg said.

Bobby Corrigan, a rodentologist, said there was little scientific data to support the effectiveness of rat hunting, but the practice dates back hundreds of years to when dogs were trained to hunt rats on farms. “There is a resurgence in the use of dogs as a rat control tool,” he said, noting that demand for the dogs is growing.

Additionally, rat baiting has been shown to be harmful to species like hawks and owls, and trapping rats is time-consuming. Hunting rats has become a more humane option. “Dogs break a rat’s spine so quickly that the rat doesn’t even feel it,” Moritz says.

In addition to dogs, cats are also used to hunt rats, as they are natural enemies of rodents. Lisa LaFontaine, president of the Humane Animal Rescue Alliance, said the organization launched a “Blue Collar Cat” program for the city’s feral cat population in 2017, which has already helped connect 400 cats with businesses.

“We created this program to give the cats the life they still live, but with the difference that they all get the necessary vaccinations,” she said.

Tim Williams holds cat Rue inside a garden center in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 1. Photo: AFP — Tim Williams holds cat Rue inside a garden shop in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 1. Photo: *AFP*

In the town of Alexandira, Virginia, about a 20-minute drive from Washington, Rue the cat chases away mice that gnaw at bird feed and fertilizer bags at Greenstreet Growers, a garden store.

“It kills a few, but the main effect is to scare the rats away,” explains store manager Tim Williams, who estimates the store has seen a 10% reduction in damage.

Rue is considered a good employee and has a large following on Instagram. "Having a cat here has two benefits. Everyone loves to see Rue," William added.

Thuy Dinh (According to AFP )

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