More than 100 pet rats found living in parked cars, police say

EUGENE, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - More than 100 pet rats were found in two parked cars in Eugene last month, according to the police department.

At about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 23, officers and animal welfare were called to help with two cars being towed. Police said one of the cars, a blue Saturn, was covered by tarp and, when removed, officers could see several rats inside.

According to police, there were rat feces throughout the car, along with chewed-up seat cushions, trash, no food, and very little water.

More rats were found in a nearby gold Suburban.

Police said the owner of the rats claimed to have rescued them. The owner tried to help capture the rats and get them out of the cars using yogurt, but the rats were hard to catch.

Fifty-two rats in eight cages were taken to Greenhill Humane Society. Three of the rats reportedly gave birth to 18 newborn rats after arriving.

The cars were taken to a towing yard with rats still inside. Police said animal welfare was going to continue to provide food and water for the rats until Greenhill had room to take more.

Police said the case remains open under a neglect investigation.