http://wjz.com/topstories/topstories_story_054095744.html

http://static.viacomlocalnetworks.com/img/clock2.gif Feb 23, 2007 9:46 am US/Eastern
On Video: Rats Invade NYC Fast Food Restaurant

(CBS) NEW YORK They are big. A pound or a pound and a half. Rats! Plump, healthy-looking and oh-so-agile.

New York CBS station WCBS-TV cameras caught dozens of them early Friday morning through the window of this closed KFC-Taco Bell in New York's Greenwich Village.

And now WCBS-TV has learned that the Department of Health will keep the restaurant closed until it can reinspect it.

Rat infestations are not a new problem for this KFC.

Just last December, the city's Health Department cited this KFC for evidence of "live rats present in the facility's food and non food areas."

The franchise was also cited rats on at least three previous occasions by the Department of Health since 2004.

But according to the Health Department Web site, the rat problems had been addressed. This was clearly not the case from what WCBS-TV cameras caught Friday morning.

Our cameras were rolling as rats invaded the popular eatery. Watch the amazing video as rats can be seen running, playing and eating leftovers off the floor of the restaurant at Sixth Avenue and West 4th Street.

These brazen rodents were seen scurrying across the floor right where diners would be sitting. They were foraging for food under the garbage cans and in the remains of dinner left on the floor.

Some frisky fellows even jumped up on the food trays, leaping from table to table like they were on an obstacle course and trying, but having trouble, climbing back down the chairs.

One was even perched on the ATM right by the front door:

"I've seen a lot of disgusting rats in the KFC. I love to eat at KFC but this is disgusting," said Tameeka St. Jean.

According to people at the scene, the popular restaurant was open until 11 p.m. Thursday night. Others told WCBS-TV that the problem has been going on for weeks.

Neighbor Susan Quimbyn said, "It's disgusting, and I am so glad you all are here to do something about it. Obviously things fall through the cracks. I'd like to interview the employees to see if they are aware of the situation."

And so would we. But so far, no employees have shown up for work, and no owner or manager has responded to our phone calls and e-mails.

Only a man claiming to be a former employee spoke with WCBS-TV. He said he quit after one month because of what he called "filthy conditions."

"I quit because it was nasty. They don't use gloves to make the food. They use the same grease day after day after day. At night, the manager told me to put the chairs up. We don't sweep; we don't mop. So that's what the rats are eating off, the stuff that's left on the floors," said Marcus Bonner, who claimed to be a former employee.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

:eek:

Ugh, one of the many reasons I hate fast food.

There goes lunch Thunder lol. That's some nasty goings on.

There goes lunch Thunder lol. That's some nasty goings on.

:lol: :lol:
I was thinking the same thing! Ewwwwww!!!

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....:puke:

:eek: I will be sure not to eat at KFC or TB on my trip to NYC in May!!! :eek:

I saw that on the news and it really looked disgusting.

That's New York for you.

Joke I heard earlier: First side (KFC/Taco Bell) of the restaurant to catch the rats gets to use them!

(Well, it's funny to me, given how much I dislike both chains)

I would never eat in one of those rat-traps. (pun intended)

That's New York for you.

Huh?

That is nasty. I hope they fix the rat problem soon.

Huh?
I agree with Brian Damage. Not every New York resturant has rats in it.

I agree with Brian Damage. Not every New York resturant has rats in it.
:rofl: That statement is so damn funny. "Not EVERY..."

:rofl: That statement is so damn funny. "Not EVERY..."
Irene, you took the words right out of my mouth. That's what you call raising the bar!!! :rofl:

Irene, you took the words right out of my mouth. That's what you call raising the bar!!! :rofl:
:brent

:rofl: That statement is so damn funny. "Not EVERY..."


I am still waiting for an answer.

Yeah that Video made me VOMIT

Yeah that Video made me VOMIT
I can't tell you how many documentaries I have seen abt restaurants and other dwellings that have had rat problems, not just New York, but other cities like Detroit, Miami, etc.

I seen a documentary abt the rat problem in New York...MY GOD, Horrific!!!! You can't make these stories up...today's latest news abt rats in restaurants is just the tip of the iceberg.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/02/23/financial/f072000S54.DTL

Rats have long been a problem in New York City, with such a dense population and such a large and readily available food supply for the rodents. They are frequently scampering through subway tunnels, rooting through trash, dashing across parks and burrowing into the walls of apartment buildings.

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/JaneMin.shtml

New York is large and occupied by many people. New York is also infested with rats. No one knows the exact number of rats. Dr. Patrick Thomas, a curator of mammals at the Bronx Zoo states that "They are an extraordinarily adaptable and hardy breed."The population of rats will continue to increase if the city does not do anything about the poor garbage disposal, increased construction or the inefficient coordination of the city's response to this problem.

Why is the number of rats so large? In just a year, one female rat can produce 285 new born rats. After few weeks they are already roaming around the city. New York City is trying to decrease (and possibly eliminate) this infestation. It is imperative to address this problem because the rats are already outnumbering the number of people and is increasing year by year. Not only will they be overrunning the city, but it is critical for the safety of the people. They can carry bacterial diseases such as salmonella and many people report of rat bites. These rats are susceptible and able to carry disease. The city, in 1997, had a budget of 8 million dollars to spend on exterminators, toxic pesticides etc. By the year 2000, this budget increased to 13 million dollars.

Today, year 2002, it is estimated that for every person there are twelve rats. Considering that there are 8 million people, there are 96 million rats in the city of New York.

Jane Min -- 2002

Way to endear yourself to the New Yorkers on the board Irene. :rolleyes:

Way to endear yourself to the New Yorkers on the board Irene. :rolleyes:

It's ****ing rude and she knows it. I could say plenty, but I'll digress.

Way to endear yourself to the New Yorkers on the board Irene. :rolleyes:
I know there are lots of New Yorkers on the board, but it is not a personal issue, this is a health issue. Nothing they should be ashamed of or take personal. If this was a restaurant in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, somewhere here in Calif. I still be :rofl: because the pics/videos and what is being said is so damn funny. Rats are everywhere and this particular story will be talked abt for some time.

It's ****ing rude and she knows it. I could say plenty, but I'll digress.
Members get upset when their favorite shows, teams or performers are ripped apart, much less their hometown.

Members get upset when their favorite shows or performers are ripped apart, much less their hometown.


Notice how she ignored me when talking. Like I said, I could say plenty, but I'll keep quiet.

Members get upset when their favorite shows, teams or performers are ripped apart, much less their hometown.
Hey, try living in Cleveland!!! At least NY's sports teams actually win world championships...:mumble:

Members get upset when their favorite shows or performers are ripped apart, much less their hometown.
I agree, if someone made a thread simply to bash a show, that is not right, not to mention against the rules, however, someone made this thread abt a real issue that occurred and people will post their comments to it. I am not saying anything that is FALSE and I am not poking at anyone in any personal way...this is a restaurant that has a history of a rat infestation and it happens to be in New York. It is not the first time we have heard a story like this and there are many stories of like this across the country. It is no one's fault here that there is a health issue in their state. And I would never pick out a member and remark they live in New York and make a joke outta of it.

Hey, try living in Cleveland!!! At least NY's sports teams actually win world championships...:mumble:
Tell me about it, lol. Long suffering Red Sox fan here. My poor husband waited decades for that World Series win. If we never win another one, that's fine.

Tell me about it, lol. Long suffering Red Sox fan here. My poor husband waited decades for that World Series win. If we never win another one, that's fine.
We had the Drive, the Fumble, the Shot, the Catch, and the Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. The last one, THAT was a heartbreaker. :mad: We never forgave Jose Mesa for that and basically ran him right out of town the next year. :mumble:

OK, I'm finished now. :D

We had the Drive, the Fumble, the Shot, the Catch, and the Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. The last one, THAT was a heartbreaker. :mad: We never forgave Jose Mesa for that and basically ran him right out of town the next year. :mumble:

OK, I'm finished now. :D
Yeah, but did you have Bill Buckner with the bus going through his legs? :lol:

Janice, do you remember the Red Sox player Tony Conigliaro?? In my journalism class I did an essay about him. I still have that old article I used as a reference. What a sad story...it made me cry...:(

Yeah, but did you have Bill Buckner with the bus going through his legs? :lol:
No, but we did have Albert Belle assaulting...um, everybody. :eek:

Janice, do you remember the Red Sox player Tony Conigliaro?? In my journalism class I did an essay about him. I still have that old article I used as a reference. What a sad story...it made me cry...:(
Yes, an incredibly sad story. Heartbreaking. :( My husband is the biggest Sox fan that I personally know. I know all the stories.

Well, at least they look like friendly rats. ;) This story was on a local channel.

There is practically everything on the Internet; even a rat forum (getting rid of them, not keeping them as pets)...

http://www.ratkill.com/cgi-bin/mb/ikonboard.cgi

I have posted a few times on there, as "Fleeter." (The "r" at the end for "rat" to fit the website.)

I like some of the usernames on that site, btw. Here are some...

"Rat King Cole" :lol:
"Rat-Sniper"
"Rat Slayer"
"Rat-a-Tat-Tat" :lol:
"Gottakillem"
"Rat Dillon" :lol:
"Dirty rat"
"KillThemAll"
"Queen Rat Killer"
"R.A.T." (Rodent Assassination Team)
"Rat Warrior"
"Rat Slapper"
"Rat Blaster"
"RatmanX"

Oddly, there are two members going by the names of:
"JaniceTN"
"IreneReed"

Damn that's f**king nasty! I hate rats!

Oddly, there are two members going by the names of:
"JaniceTN"
"IreneReed"

Oh sh*t...Janice, we've been found out!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :lol:

Oh sh*t...Janice, we've been found out!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :lol:
dum da dum dum DUM!!!!!

Busted, Irene and Janice. You're not fooling us!! :rofl:

Oh sh*t...Janice, we've been found out!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :lol:
So how long have you two been rat fans? :D

Would someone who lives in that neighborhood really go back in that place and eat again after finding out about the Rats? It should just be CLOSED DOWN

I think I'm going to go out and have some KFC this afternoon. :lol:

I think I'm going to go out and have some KFC this afternoon. :lol:
YUCK. :lol:

I think I'm going to go out and have some KFC this afternoon. :lol:
With or without a side order of rats?

With or without a side order of rats?
puke:

So how long have you two been rat fans? :D
:lol: :lol:


Question here...in Los Angeles County and other counties in California, the restaurants have to have a GRADE from the health dept and have it displayed in their window. For example, a restuarant that gets a 95 percent or higher in regards to a health inspection, the store gets to display a large letter "A" in the window and inside. Anything less gets a letter "B" or "C". A restaurant that gets an "A" is one that will get the patronage because they are of course clean and up to par. I think this should be this way all across the country therefore, a restaurant that continues to violate codes, such as this particular place (they were cited more than 14 times) will get a bad grade and the public can see it and obviously not go there.

Boston endured over 10 years of The Big Dig, the biggest construction project in history, an underground tunnel, bridges, you name it. The city was overrun with rats. Restaurants and hotels were really hard hit.

:lol: :lol:


Question here...in Los Angeles County and other counties in California, the restaurants have to have a GRADE from the health dept and have it displayed in their window. For example, a restuarant that gets a 95 percent or higher in regards to a health inspection, the store gets to display a large letter "A" in the window and inside. Anything less gets a letter "B" or "C". A restaurant that gets an "A" is one that will get the patronage because they are of course clean and up to par. I think this should be this way all across the country therefore, a restaurant that continues to violate codes, such as this particular place (they were cited more than 14 times) will get a bad grade and the public can see it and obviously not go there.
Right, and restaurants with rats get an "R." ;)

Boston endured over 10 years of The Big Dig, the biggest construction project in history, an underground tunnel, bridges, you name it. The city was overrun with rats. Restaurants and hotels were really hard hit.
Oh, is that why you became a member of ratkill.com? :D

Oh, is that why you became a member of ratkill.com? :D
He was also made an honorary member of Orkin. :lol:

Right, and restaurants with rats get an "R." ;)

:brent Good one!!!!!



Oh, is that why you became a member of ratkill.com? :D

*irene hiding her face behind Janice* :eek: