Providence man arrested over dead rats
Published: January 3, 2009
Updated: January 3, 2009
FOSTER, R.I.—A Providence man has been charged after more than 250 rats were abandoned in Foster Tuesday night.
Police said Toby Duffany, 23, was arrested and arraigned Friday by a justice of the peace. The Rhode Island Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said a tip led their joint investigation with Foster Police to Duffany.
Duffany told NBC 10 that his girlfriend had given birth on Dec. 26 and that Department of Children, Youth and Families told him he could not bring his daughter home until the rats were gone.
The SPCA said there were more than 200 living rats and more than 70 dead rats dropped off Tuesday night. All of the living rats had to be euthanized for health reasons.
Duffany was released on personal recognizance and will be back in court for a Jan. 21 arraignment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Reader Reactions
This is a little contradictory of the point of the SPCA….he could have just let them loose or tossed them in a river but he did the only responsable thing, brought them to the Animal shelter….lets see if that happens the next time or if the person endangers society to avoid getting arrested. Who knows, maybe he had some kind of business that sells rats…food for snakes…research…we don’t know…the story is horribly lacking facts. All I know is if I had to chose between my new baby or a bunch of rats….duh!
I’m totally confused. Why did he have 200 rats? Were they caged as pets or living on his property due to filth? There are missing pieces to this story.
Of course DCYF is going to allow the baby to go home.
These people weren’t qualified enough to take care of caged rats… I’m sure they’ll fair much better with a baby that requires constant attention.
Let me guess…is DCYF still going to let him have a newborn at home? Will they still be surprised when this happens to the baby?
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