by Sharelle B. McNair
January 13, 2026
Whereas volunteers spoke concerning the crucial situation of the rodents had been, the remark part was flooded with concern for the kid.
Social media customers got here to the frequent conclusion of white folks’s rhetoric after near 300 “pet” rats had been present in a Rocky Level, Lengthy Island, NY residence.
The unidentified house owner, who lives along with her 3-year-old grandchild, faces animal abuse and neglect.
The video posted on Instagram confirmed tons of of rats working by means of the 48-year-old’s residence.
Whereas volunteers from the Robust Island Animal Rescue spoke with ABC7 on the crucial situation the rodents had been in—many feminine rats had been pregnant, and others had been being septic—the remark part was flooded with extra concern for the kid.
“I’m confused on why they’re so unhappy concerning the rats and never the grandchild!” @prettiibre wrote.
“Animal cruelty? You imply baby endangerment!,” @finy_gelato mentioned within the feedback part.
One of many volunteers known as it a “dangerous state of affairs” as rats had been seen crawling between the kitchen cupboards and the ground. Volunteer Kristin Stephens, a veterinarian technician, mentioned they had been capturing as many as potential to ensure the animals get the care they want.
“A number of them are injured. A number of them have big wounds,” Stephens mentioned. “Their eyes are popping out. They’ve massive abscesses.”
However the true concern got here when the reporter mentioned volunteers discovered bottles of rat poison within the basement, adopted with the information that donations had been being sought to take correct care of the rodents.
“DONATIONS???? HEALTHCARE???? WHAT!😂 CAN YALL PLEASE BE F****** FR,” @_thatb.tch mentioned.
“Donates for healthcare for the rodents wtf !!!,” one other person wrote.
In keeping with Fox 5 New York, the Lengthy Island rescue group is working with Jefferson Animal Hospital to offer medical remedy, like humane euthanasia, for rats which are terminally in poor health.
After it was introduced that the group was on the lookout for foster houses, adopters, out-of-state transporters, rescue companions, and monetary donations to cowl the medical prices of rodent care, Instagram customers mentioned there isn’t any level, and the home needs to be burned down.
There was additionally confusion about what was occurring to the little boy, with one person suggesting the kid’s dad and mom needs to be arrested. “Blow the home up…..they’re rats, the one sufferer is that child tf they speaking concerning the rats injured,” @bracefacedrelly mentioned.
“A toddler resides in a house infested with rats, and yall speaking about discovering some form of adoption or look after a rat,” @taylors_touch wrote.
However volunteer Frankie Floridia is retaining an open thoughts in hopes the rats will make it. “It makes us unhappy, nevertheless it additionally provides us a glimmer of hope that we all know that we are able to get them to security,” he mentioned.
RELATED CONTENT: Lengthy Island, NY, Man Indicted After 15 Kilos Of Fentanyl Discovered Inside His House
