Do Poisoned Rats Belong in the Landfill?

I have been long bothered by the manner in which residents are forced to deal with the rats and disposal in their garbage.  A few weeks back a resident stated he had only half his barrel emptied on trash day and the remainder was mostly dead rats.  NO RESIDENT should have do deal with this.  YUCK!  Moreover, I was very alarmed hearing Poisoned rats or rats surmounting to more than 3 were being dumped and not just by 1 resident, rather neighborhoods. 

After driving into my street yesterday and seeing a big one run over I see the problem is now reaching my neighborhood.  I was vocal back in 2008 because I thought it was important, in light of the fact that it wasn't even in my neighborhood - but that's me.  Whatever interests me I attach to, and now this rodent(s) are here in my neighborhood and I wanted to know the protocol. 

Former Councilman Robert Pelletier, seems to be a concerned citizens no matter if he's filling a seat or just as a resident.  He answered my FB post and said this yesterday:

‎Robert Pelletier answered: Question 1 - Yes, Question 2 answer is 2 part, no to enforcing and yes they do have someone but they are enforcing building and other city codes except this one also ZERO tickets have been written Question 3 its not on the city website, but i found this online http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_dispose_a_dead_rat THANKS ROB!!!

BUT, I am still awaiting a response from the RI Resource Recovery on this disposal of animals. I know from a disease standpoint it is not wise for birds...but what about rats? Doesn't seem logical to me to have 20-30 rats sitting in your trash barrel. hmmmmm.Answer to: How do you dispose a dead rat? wiki.answers.com It is very simple to remove a dead rat, but you have to do it very carefully, for rats can carry deadly diseases, and even mites, fleas, ticks exc.

TODAY, I was prompted to call and then follow-up as RIRRC requested with an email stating:

Hi Steve (RIRRC),

Thanks for taking my call.

To recap. I looked on your website and only saw information pertaining to disposal of DEAD animals with reference to only a bird, because of the influenza they carry. You said you recollected hearing back in 2008 of the Cranston RAT problem which has become and issue yet again - due to never fully being eradicated.

Residents throw...not 1 rat, 2 rats or a handful. But dozens multiplied in the Stadium, Bain and now some other areas in Cranston. I am told by City Council that it is fine to throw away under City Ordinance.

I am not comfortable with Poisoned Rats being thrown away at the Landfill. The method that City Officials have been using to destroy them and throwing them away. I am not comfortable with poisoned rats being thrown into our landfill as they carry diseases - please see CDC.gov fact sheet below. Safety of children and elderly is always a concern and I do not set well with illogical information and question it.

That said, I would really appreciate your response on "protocol and requirements" in disposal of small caucuses vs. larger dogs etc. I'm sure there must be something on Farm animals (said in tongue and cheek). I am merely trying to establish a solid answer 1) somewhere on your website for cities and towns to read 2) to stop the current disposal and guide us to a solution whether its BURNING them or whatever.

Thanks so much!

http://www.orlandorats.com/diseases.htm Here is information on some of the diseases caused by rats, as gathered from the Center For Disease Control & Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/