‘Emergency': Idaho Lawmakers Advance Bill To Battle Street Rats

Over the last decade, growth in the Treasure Valley has been nothing shy of a 'boom'. If you've lived here for long, you can remember when most of this new construction was 'just a field' but even those that have only been here for a handful of years have seen enough growth to understand just how rapid it has been.

Changes in demographics and zip code relevance have led to local business booms and struggles. Chain restaurants and retail shopping options that once upon a time, Idahoans had to visit while traveling to larger cities or other States, are now popping up in the Treasure Valley.

Boom.

Some changes aren't so welcome here in the Treasure Valley, and no we aren't teeing up a California joke.

Rats...in the streets of Boise...

They're becoming a real issue.

They're something you think of when it comes to piles of trash or sewage gutters on the streets of New York City -- but according to Idaho lawmakers, their recent appearance in the Treasure Valley has Idaho 'on the way' to being the big apple with these rats running around.

The bill, which has advanced among Idaho legislators, begins by addressing 'rodents of unusual size', states that there has been a dramatic increase in rats, which presents a threat to public health by way of their ability to transport diseases-- transmittable to humans.  They also note potential economic damage to agriculture and property.

The rats are called a public health 'nuisance' by the proposed emergency declaration.

Some legislators say in a tight budget year, this could be too expensive of an issue to eradicate. Others say if action isn't taken now, the rats will get out of control.

Have you see a rat issue at your home?