NE Philadelphia Residents Raise Health Concerns Following Recent Sightings Of Dead Rats

By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Residents in the Lawndale section of Northeast Philadelphia are wondering what type of poison the city is using to kill massive rats that are turning up dead on their street.

On a pristine, tree-lined street, Robert O'Brien says the size of the dead rats that he and his neighbors are scooping up is unbelievable and he has a lot of questions.

"The big concerns are, we have a lot of kids and a lot of animals around -- people walking their dogs. Is it safe? I mean, is my dog going to bite something? Where are these traps? Are they toxic to just the rodents or can it affect my dog? Is it something the kids can touch?"

The rats are apparently coming in from a storm drain at the intersection of Oakley and Martins Mill roads, an issue Robert admits the city has addressed with poison but he wants more disclosure.

"What you're doing, your plan of action. Like anything in life, you just want to know what's going on."

A spokesman for the water department says the matter is under investigation.