By Richard Requena
Chicago Tribune
NILES, Ill. — Police in Niles, Illinois — a suburb of Chicago — expressed satisfaction with a pilot program begun in August to “deputize” 5 feral cats to regulate the rat inhabitants, a police official instructed Pioneer Press. Now, the division says it’s seeking to prolong this system.
The cats have lived across the 7800 block of Nordica Avenue for about three years underneath the care of a resident. The Niles police department recruited the cats as a result of they’re a pure deterrent to rats, in keeping with Niles Police.
Mickey and 4 different feral cats have been “deputized” as rat catchers by the Niles Police Department. (Richard Requena/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Earlier within the 12 months, Niles officers passed a wildlife ordinance to curb rat issues within the village. According to the village’s web site, the Community Development Department tracks and investigates rat complaints and inspects alleys and properties. The division provides out free rat traps to residential properties.
Niles Police Sergeant Dan Borkowski instructed Pioneer Press via e mail that the division reviewed criticism knowledge from the Development Department and resident suggestions and determined to proceed and increase the feral cat program. Borkowski mentioned the division had but to find out the place the cats shall be placed as a result of it’s contingent on cat availability and host households to maintain the cats.
Borkowski mentioned they’d hold the cats in a extra outlined territory. The village’s animal management officer gave Sarwat Hakim, the resident who has been watching over the feral cats, three makeshift, tarped shelters for the felines.
A Pioneer Press evaluation of rat complaints revealed that two months earlier than the pilot program started there have been solely two rat complaints inside 1,500 toes of the cats’ houses. After the pilot program started, there have been no extra complaints throughout the space.
Hakim mentioned the cats often keep within the neighborhood or head off into the forest preserves, the place they hunt for rats.
Hakim mentioned earlier than the cats had been within the neighborhood, she used to see loads of rats and rat traps. She hasn’t seen a rat lure within the neighborhood for a couple of 12 months, which she is a fan of as a result of she worries about youngsters probably enjoying with them.
Hakim mentioned she began caring for one feral cat three years in the past when it stored returning for meals. The cat gave start to fifteen cats, most of which had been put up for adoption, with 4 of the cats staying behind.
“They’re so united you wouldn’t believe it,” mentioned Hakim.
Hakim mentioned she and her daughter-in-law feed the cats rooster within the morning, canned tuna for lunch and dinner, with cat meals, each dried and canned, served as a snack. The cats additionally prefer to drink milk, she mentioned.
“I hope nobody harms them and lets them stay because they’re benefiting us getting rid of the rats,” she mentioned.
___
©2023 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
