Senator Sets Shameful Example, Should Use Humane Methods, Says Group

For Immediate Release:
March 15, 2007

Contact:
Stephanie Boyles 757-622-7382

Washington, D.C. -- In the wake of recent news reports that Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) bragged about beating a rat to death with a golf club, PETA has fired off a letter to the senator demanding that he use only humane rat-control methods in the Washington, D.C., townhouse that he shares with three other members of Congress.

PETA points out that until Durbin prevents rats from entering the townhouse by sealing up cracks and holes and picking up the "filth and squalor" that reportedly litter the dwelling, more rats will enter the townhouse.

"Sen. Durbin has apparently forgotten that people these days realize that animals of all kinds deserve to be treated decently and that if they are going to be killed, they should be killed humanely," says PETA’s wildlife biologist, Stephanie Boyles. "Constituents are not impressed by Durbin’s beating a small animal to death and then bragging about what a big man he is."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA’s letter to Sen. Durbin follows.

March 15, 2007

The Honorable Dick Durbin
309 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Durbin:

PETA and our more than 1.6 million members and supporters worldwide were shocked and disappointed to learn that, according to a recent ABC News story, you bragged about beating a rat to death with a golf club.

As one of our country’s leaders, your constituents look to you as an example. Making light of cruelly beating an animal to death on a national television network’s Web site encourages American citizens—especially impressionable young people—to disregard animals’ feelings and possibly attempt to mimic your irresponsible behavior by killing rats or other animals in cruel ways. Rats may not be "cute" like cats or dogs, but they are intelligent animals who are just as capable of suffering and feeling pain as the animals who share our homes.

Furthermore, cruelly killing one rat does nothing to prevent more rats from taking up residence in the townhouse—more rats will simply move in to fill the void. We encourage you to inform your landlord, Rep. George Miller, that he can easily and permanently end your rat infestation by sealing any openings larger than a dime in the foundation vents, roof, and subfloor with caulk or sturdy screening material. You can help by maintaining a sanitary environment and keeping all food and garbage in sealed, chew-proof containers. Any remaining rats can be caught in a humane trap and released outdoors.

May we please have your assurance that you will use humane rat-control methods in the future? Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Boyles, M.S.
Wildlife Biologist
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department