Big Apple Cat Crusades

In an attempt to tackle New York City’s ongoing rat issue, mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa has suggested a rather unconventional solution: forming a team of wild cats to hunt down rodents in parks and various hotspots across the city.

This proposal follows a recent incident where rats were spotted invading the Tarr-Coyne Tots Playground on West 67th Avenue. Sliwa, who is also the founder of the Guardian Angels, argued that introducing cats could be a straightforward fix to the rampant rodent problems troubling parts of the city.

“This is the Nature method,” Sliwa stated at a playground in Central Park. “If you feed them, water them, and provide basic shelter…” He went on to suggest that something as simple as a plastic container could deter mice by masking their entry points, with the aim of not disrupting city life.

He likened the cats to vigilantes, saying, “Think of them like Batman and Robin, patrolling at night just when the rats come out.” In addition, Sliwa has joined the independent “refuge animal” initiative, emphasizing a need for humane treatment of animals rather than relying on kill shelters.

Reflecting on his experiences, Sliwa acknowledged the ongoing battle with rats, noting, “You’re never going to win a war. You can only keep them at bay.” Parents at the Tarr-Coyne playground have voiced their frustrations, reporting incidents of rats startling toddlers and stealing snacks.

Data shows that there have been 6,614 complaints about rats across five city districts this year, which is slightly lower than the previous year’s numbers for the same time frame. Mayor Adams had previously committed to tackling this issue, spending significant funds on innovative, yet controversial, strategies like the rat “Death Squad” program that involves using carbon monoxide.

While Sliwa insists that more effort is necessary, he has faith in the capabilities of wild cats, arguing that their independent nature makes them well-suited to the task, as they typically avoid human contact and are active in the evenings when rats are most prevalent.

On Sunday, reactions from New Yorkers were mixed. Wei, a 38-year-old mother, expressed concerns about the potential for cat colonies and their impact on the city, saying, “I’ve lived here for 10 years, and the rat problem hasn’t improved. I’m skeptical about whether cat colonies would help.”

Meanwhile, Martin Petrera, 51, found the idea intriguing, sharing her love for cats as great hunters but noting possible ecological issues, “I think it’s an interesting idea, but it could affect the local wildlife, like the special birds in Central Park.”