Rat beaten to death
Hillside, NJ (US)Date: Jul 27, 1994
Disposition: Dismissed
Person of Interest: Frank Balun
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Balun was a retired clothing designer who was prosecuted for bludgeoning a rat to death with a broom.
Balun borrowed a neighbors squirrel trap and set 1/2 a tomatoe in it. After 2 days he caught the rat that was eating in his vegetable garden.
Balun called the Associated Humane Society to come get the carcass. An officer came, took the trap, the rat and a picture. When Balun went to the AHS to pick up the trap he was issued 2 summonses. Each summons carried a penalty of up to six months in jail and $1,250 in fines. Balun could have found a more humane way of removing the animal from his vegetable garden (such as relocating it, or having it euthanized).
The case led to NJ legislation permitting the killing of vermin. Governor Chrisie Whiman in 1997, signed a bill to make sure homeowners would no be prosecued for killing rats and mice on their property.
Balun died at age 76 on April 18th, 2001 from cancer. References | The New York Times | | The Associated Press | | Time Magazine |
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