Push to deploy ferrets for hunting rats in Amsterdam
The JA21 faction in Amsterdam wants ferrets to hunt rats in Amsterdam, AT5 reports. The party made the proposal after a restaurant in Javastraat was forced to close over a video showing rats swarming over the counter.
According to JA21, Rotterdam is already using ferrets in this way, and Amsterdam should follow suit.
AT5 spoke to rat catcher Nico Kraaijeveld, who uses ferrets and three dogs to combat the rat problem in Rotterdam. According to him, it is a good method, but not the only solution. “It is a very nice addition to the control methods that are already available, but we cannot use ferrets everywhere,” he told the Amsterdam broadcaster.
Ferrets are rats’ natural enemy and can reach every area rats go. With Kraaijeveld’s method, the ferrets drive the rodents outside, where the dogs catch them. Those not killed by the dogs are captured and killed later. According to the rat catcher, he can eliminate dozens of rats a day using this method.
Kraaijeveld considers this method more humane than the conventional approach of using poison. “With poison, they wander around for four to five days. That is not a humane method.” His dogs kill a rat within seconds.
Moreover, poison doesn’t stay with the rat. If a predator catches a poisoned rat, they get poisoned, too.
Rotterdam is having some success with the method, but it is not suitable for every location. For example, it is less effective in densely built-up areas. Whether Amsterdam is suitable for ferrets has not yet been investigated.
The Amsterdam office of mayor and aldermen has not yet responded to JA21’s proposal.
