Ratatouille This Is Not
If you need a case of the willies then this story will probably do it: Palisades Rathouse
I guess you have to weigh your ability to condone elder abuse against your ability to live in your newly purchased $1.8 M home with dirty, nasty, fat, but friendly rats. Upon first hearing about this story I immediately thought of this:
Rat King. Pretty cool, huh?
I have to feel for the homeowners on this one. I'm pretty sure if my new house was being invaded by rats bred by my new neighbors and the city agencies, realtors and local pest control guy are all like, "Oh, yeah them rats, we knew about that, ain't life a bitch, but whatcha gonna do?", I'd be yelling threats at elderly people too. I still don't understand how this could have carried on so long, but on top of that how did two elderly women manage to survive in what had to be the most deplorable conditions. The stench from the urine had to be stifling to say the least, I once owned a pet mouse (name Myrtel) and would only handle her for short periods of time trying to avoid her peeing on me. The rancid stench was overwhelming, and that was one little mouse. We're talking about a brazillion rats going on in there.
But, I don't feel too bad for the old ladies...their rat infested hell hole is still worth a cool 1.2 mil. Remember kiddies, location, location, location.