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When the Cat's Away, You Have to Keep the Bread in the Freezer
Under New York City's
health code, deli and grocery store owners can be fined for
having rats on the premises. But they also can be fined
for having cats, a cheap and effective way to kill
and repel rats:
The city's health code and state law forbid animals in places where food or beverages are sold for human consumption. Fines range from $300 for a first offense to $2,000 or higher for subsequent offenses.
"Any animal around food presents a food contamination threat," said Robert M. Corrigan, a rodentologist and research scientist for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
As The New York Times notes, "the fine for rodent feces is also $300." Bodega owners seem to prefer the company of cats.
Episiarch|12.26.07 @ 11:18AM|#
Any animal around food presents a food contamination
threat
Last time I checked, humans were animals. Guess it's time to fire
the staff.
Ska|12.26.07 @ 11:19AM|#
Ummm.....not quite that fond of any sort of feces in my food
prep areas - cat, rat, bird, etc. Am I supposed to be more content
with cats contaminating my food.
No, I'm not naive. I'm more than aware of the disgusting conditions
at many (if not nearly all) restaurants, delis and other retail
food operations. I think it's funny to pick one animal over
another.
Robert|12.26.07 @ 11:26AM|#
I miss Bob, the cat at Silver Deli & Grocery. Not just because he had my name, but because he was so friendly to me. They say he ran away.
Jennifer|12.26.07 @ 11:38AM|#
If only grownups could be trusted to make their own decisions concerning whether or not they want to eat in a restaurant where cats may roam.
Rhywun|12.26.07 @ 11:39AM|#
Asinine. A properly cared-for cat doesn't chew open packages and shit all over the place. It makes me proud that almost every deli I've been in has a cat, in defiance of the fascist pigs that run my city/state government.
|12.26.07 @ 11:43AM|#
Every day I eat in an establishment with FOUR cats roaming
about. Yet, somehow, I survive.
For those of you unable to distinguish between having a cat and a
rat about, I have two words for you: bubonic plague.
PS: This article should have been titled, "Hot Dog! When It Comes
To Cooking I Am The Cat's Meow!"
|12.26.07 @ 11:50AM|#
You know, I have a dog that freely roams the room where most of
the food I eat is prepared, yet somehow, we never get parasitic
infections from him.
Hmm, in fact, I would think that a significant fraction of the
people who live in the U.S. do the same. yet, somehow, our
hospitals are not overflowing with sick people.
Obviously this is a hidden epidemic. People must be sick without
realizing it. Perhaps we should have a federally funded task force
to look into the problem.... One staffed by the wives, children,
nieces or nephews of Congressmen.
Rhywun|12.26.07 @ 12:02PM|#
"Any animal around food presents a food contamination
threat,"
I have to wonder if this government scientist had anything else to
say on the issue (like say, "but some animals much more so than
others..."), or if the government just took this sentence and ran
with it.
|12.26.07 @ 12:04PM|#
If you keep a tiger in your store, losses from shoplifting will be reduced, as well.
Episiarch|12.26.07 @ 12:12PM|#
If you keep a tiger in your store, losses from shoplifting
will be reduced, as well.
The Bronx Zoo has very low shoplifting losses.
dhex|12.26.07 @ 12:13PM|#
i like it when i go into a bodega and there's a cat there. it means the roaches and mice are being preyed upon, as god intended.
|12.26.07 @ 12:15PM|#
Geez, this is simple, folks! Some animals, like cats and dogs, are easier to train and/or control than other animals, like rats or tigers. The store owner with a cat or dog still has the responsibility of controlling the cat or dog, but if it's an effective way of controlling the rats, then why not let 'em have them? Would the government regulators object if you had a goldfish in the store? How much risk of contamination is involved in that?
|12.26.07 @ 12:19PM|#
I don't care if a given restaurant has cats, rats, or caribou
scurrying around in the back, so long as they post something in the
front window so I can make an informed decision as to where to go
to eat (allergies, dontcha know).
(Actually, I'd probably brave the allergies to eat somewhere with
the novelty value of caribou wandering around the kitchen.)
Rimfax|12.26.07 @ 12:20PM|#
...Mental Hygiene.
WTF?
I have difficulty seeing how an animal that doesn't crawl on the
counter and through the cabinets and doesn't shit every three
seconds presents a comparable risk to a rodent.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 12:27PM|#
You know, I have a dog that freely roams the room where most
of the food I eat is prepared, yet somehow, we never
get parasitic infections from him.
Are you sure?
many people, especially adults infected by a small number of
larvae (immature worms), may not notice any symptoms
Rhywun|12.26.07 @ 12:36PM|#
if it's an effective way of controlling the rats, then why
not let 'em have them?
Because the scientist said "any animal presents a
threat"! Besides, if you want us to spend more money training our
staff to distinguish one kind of animal from another, that'll cost
you extra.
- Gov't spokesperson
Episiarch|12.26.07 @ 12:41PM|#
BIG PUSSY
First they came for the big pussy. Then they came for the tight
pussy. Then they came for the little pussy, i.e. Dondero.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 12:44PM|#
%14
of Americans are infested with Toxocara worms which are spread by
dogs and cats
Alternate
link for "liberaltarians" that don't believe anything they read
in "Faux News".
Standard libertarian disclaimer: Any health certification of
grocers and restaurants should be voluntary and private. I buy
tamales sold from the trunks of cars and barbecue cooked over fires
in 55 gallon drums set up on vacant lots.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 12:49PM|#
Any animal around food presents a food contamination
threat
Last time I checked, humans were animals. Guess it's time to fire
the staff.
Humans are the major cause of food contamination.
I think they presume humans can read the signs in the bathroom
saying "Employees must wash hands" and might actually obey
them.
Cats have zero compliance with that mandate.
jtuf|12.26.07 @ 12:51PM|#
Rimfax | December 26, 2007, 12:20pm | #
...Mental Hygiene.
WTF?
They're in charge of brainwashing.
|12.26.07 @ 12:52PM|#
SIV -- the article you linked said that the diseases from cats
and dogs are most prevalent among poor families, and the infections
are likely contracted in the gigantic kitty litter boxes known as
sandboxes at playgrounds.
So you've convinced me to not buy food cooked by children (whose
parents don't encourage frequent handwashing) inside giant kitty
litter boxes -- OTOH, having pet dogs or cats in restaurants that
patrons willingly eat at is fine with me.
|12.26.07 @ 12:55PM|#
I think they presume humans can read the signs in the
bathroom saying "Employees must wash hands" and might actually obey
them.
Cats have zero compliance with that mandate.
Dunno, SIV, I don't usually eat at restaurants that employ cats and
dogs as waiters and cooks. Maybe you do. since that way, you
wouldn't be encouraging them to hire immigrants.
Won't someone PUH-LEEZE stop all the wetcats sneaking across the
border and stealing Ahr Jarbs TM?
Episiarch|12.26.07 @ 1:00PM|#
Girls wash your boys. We'll get clean, clean,
clean.
Kevin DuBrow, is that you? I knew you were still alive!
Franklin Harris|12.26.07 @ 1:01PM|#
Customer: Nice cat. What's his name?
Clerk: "Annoying Customer."
Customer: Fuck you.
|12.26.07 @ 1:07PM|#
NY Health Authorities are against
wait for it
BIG PUSSY.
Well, golly; who isn't?
SIV|12.26.07 @ 1:13PM|#
prolefeed,
I haven't looked at the study but I expect they focus on poor
children as that was their sample. Are you tested for toxocara
infection as part of your routine "healthcare"?
I'm looking at the numbers based on the news report. %14 of US
population infected and "up to %23 of poor urban black children".
Extrapolating the figure to all poor children
SIV|12.26.07 @ 1:16PM|#
continued
%23 doesn't add up to %14 of the population
so their should be plenty of people of other social classes and
ages infested with toxocara roundworms. Pet owners should be the
best represented.
Less than sign is read as html tag.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 1:18PM|#
You learn something new everyday...
I have heard that if you have mice in your apartment you will
not have rats as the two species do not co-habit in the same area.
Is that true? I also heard that orange oil is a smell these
critters avoid like the plague.
Posted by Mr.radiotube
Answer:
In a majority of cases inside city buildings, this is true. The rat
is a formidable enemy of the mouse. However, should apartments,
restaurants, hotels, and so forth become messy with food and
shelter, rats will become much less aggressive towards the mouse
(after all, there is plenty to go around). In these situations, the
mice will usually be active only during the time the rats are not,
or the mouse will forage in spaces different from those used by the
rat.
From the Rodentologist Corrigan cited in the story.
thoreau|12.26.07 @ 1:36PM|#
If you keep a tiger in your store, losses from shoplifting
will be reduced, as well.
I've got this rock....
M|12.26.07 @ 1:47PM|#
Girls wash your boys. We'll get clean, clean, clean.
Google got me as far as an asparagus recipe to (not) decipher that
reference, but on the subject of invoking the
constabulary to regulate avant-garde hygienic practices
for their wholesomeness factor...
|12.26.07 @ 1:54PM|#
"The whole premise of the skit is questionable," Ms. Metz
said. "I see no purpose that it would serve, especially not in a
Christian youth group setting. It's perverse."
Come along, Mrs Metz; the pretty tiger is right through that
door.
|12.26.07 @ 1:54PM|#
SIV -- I agree that people who are not poor also have children
who play in sandboxes frequented by cats, or pet their cats and
dogs and then eat or cook food without washing their hands. And, if
you have cats or dogs roaming a restaurant, and the employees pet
them and then handle food without washing, some animal-borne
illnesses can be transmitted, just as human-borne illnesses can be
transmitted by employees who don't wash their hands after using the
restroom.
It is a manageable problem -- a matter of the owners communicating
and enforcing proper hygiene among their employees. I don't see how
this would lead anyone committed to freedom to agree with laws or
regulations banning people from patronizing restaurants that have
cats or dogs on the premises, if the patrons are aware of the
practice and want to take that risk. I could live with laws
requiring restaurants to disclose that they allow pets on the
premises.
|12.26.07 @ 1:57PM|#
M,
Replace wash with rock and clean with wild and you'll find
it.
Also, in honor of your namesake, here a small tribute.
|12.26.07 @ 2:06PM|#
Google "Ratt".
Rhywun,
The Metal Police called and they'd like a word with you.
M|12.26.07 @ 2:07PM|#
de stijl, thank you (I think). I take it that composition
post-dates Brahms, which is why it wasn't readily available to me.
And had you not pointed out the eponymy, I would have missed it,
since the pronunciation is so different.
Now what about the pretty tiger reference? I think I'm getting too
dumb for H&R.
M|12.26.07 @ 2:09PM|#
The Metal Police? Clearly they came after the Bronze Age, when the best had been done already. O tempora...
SIV|12.26.07 @ 2:14PM|#
pf,
See my standard libertarian disclaimer above.
I don't think we should have laws in this matter at all except
perhaps against fraudulently claiming private inspection.
My point is that cats and other animals do harbor disease that can
be spread to humans. The diseases and parasites don't confine
themselves to the poor or unclean but thrive wherever there is
opportunity.
I'll bet the %14 Toxocara infection rate is much lower than
actually exists.Physical examinations of "middle class" people
don't routinely test for parasites.
The Wine Commonsewer|12.26.07 @ 2:26PM|#
Cats and food don't mix.
Try the blender. Or a good food processor.
The Wine Commonsewer|12.26.07 @ 2:30PM|#
I can attest to the absolute ruthless efficiency of cats v
rodents and other assorted vermin.
At one time the rats and ground squirrels were so relentless as to
clear an entire peach tree of fruit in 24 hours. They'd eat every
last blossom on both orange trees leaving the trees looking like
they were hit by a plague of locusts.
Then came THE NEW CATS (insert timpani sound here). The tag team of
the black cat with the bent up tail and his brother the
Siamese-looking cat with on white foot.
I was impressed with my gray cat slapping the rattlesnake silly.
These two literally ripped the snake in half, leaving both halves
on the porch. And we got us some nice fresh oranges.
Cara Lutetia|12.26.07 @ 2:36PM|#
SIV,
I think it depends on the animal and the type of facility involved.
For example, while this doesn't involve an individual restaraunt,
in general given the current knowledge I have of the subject I
don't have that much of a problem with the regulation of food
processing facilities.
Episiarch|12.26.07 @ 2:43PM|#
Rhywun,
The Metal Police called and they'd like a word with you.
Also, Randy Rhoads' ghost is looking for you.
Rhywun|12.26.07 @ 2:45PM|#
I can attest to the absolute ruthless efficiency of cats v
rodents and other assorted vermin.
You must be not talking about the fancified indoor cats I'm used
to. Mine wouldn't harm anything larger than a fly. I've caught one
playing with a mouse, just kind of batting it around but not
causing any serious harm. Fortunately, most vermin don't catch on
that indoor cats are such wimps. The cats do their job just by
being there.
Rhywun|12.26.07 @ 2:48PM|#
Also, Randy Rhoads' ghost is looking for you.
Well, I was never a big Quiet Riot fan but "Blizzard of Ozz" is one
of my all-time favorites so I THINK NOT.
Jennifer|12.26.07 @ 3:04PM|#
I'll bet the %14 Toxocara infection rate is much lower than
actually exists.Physical examinations of "middle class" people
don't routinely test for parasites.
Seeing as how I haven't heard of any Toxocara epidemic killing vast
numbers of middle-class Americans, I'd say the lack of examination
isn't much of a problem.
My friend tells me that her four-year-old wasn't tested for STDs
during her last pediatric visit, either. Sounds like a safe
oversight.
BakedPenguin|12.26.07 @ 3:07PM|#
If you keep a tiger in your store, losses from shoplifting will be reduced, as well.
...and the tiger will eat the banana, thus disarming your
assailant.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 3:17PM|#
Seeing as how I haven't heard of any Toxocara epidemic
killing vast numbers of middle-class Americans, I'd say the lack of
examination isn't much of a problem.
Jennifer,
I guess that is why you don't get tested for chlamydia.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 3:27PM|#
Adult worms of the Toxocara family often live in the small
intestine of dogs and cats. They range from 4-12 cm in length.
Almost all puppies are infected at or soon after birth. During the
summer, Toxocara infective eggs are shed. They survive for years in
the environment, and humans typically ingest the eggs orally by
eating with contaminated hands. Once introduced into
the human intestine, the eggs develop into larvae. The larval form
is less than 0.5 mm in length and 0.02 mm wide. The larvae
penetrate the bowel wall and migrate through blood vessels to reach
the liver, muscles, and lungs. Sometimes the parasite penetrates
into the eye and brain.
Disease severity is affected by the number of eggs ingested,
duration of infection, tissue location of larvae, and the immune
response to the infection
Why worry?
|12.26.07 @ 3:45PM|#
Why worry?
You could be devoured by a tiger long before the toxocara reach
your brain.
robc|12.26.07 @ 3:55PM|#
I recommend those of you squeamish about animals around your food prep never look into how lambic beers are made. Cantillon had some cats roaming around (of more interest/disgust are the cobwebs over the open wort). Spontaneous Fermentation!!!
Joe Horn|12.26.07 @ 4:01PM|#
You could be devoured by a tiger long before the toxocara
reach your brain.
Like I'm gonna listen to that damn fool 911 operator telling me not
to shoot the tiger.
Cara Lutetia|12.26.07 @ 4:11PM|#
As with any disease vector its potential risk depends on a number of factors including the individual who comes in contact with that vector. Ergo, someone whose immune system is compromised in some fashion may wish to avoid contact with cats since Toxoplasmosis can be far more problematic for them than for a healthy person.
SIV|12.26.07 @ 4:28PM|#
Cara,
Toxoplasmosis is not toxocariasis
minor point as they are both parasitic infections humans can
contract from animals. The dangers for
"healthy persons" from either is not really known.
|12.26.07 @ 4:41PM|#
Jennifer wrote: "If only grownups could be trusted to make their
own decisions concerning whether or not they want to eat in a
restaurant where cats may roam."
If only restaurants could be trusted to be transparent about the
kinds of animal that roam within their walls.
Brandybuck|12.26.07 @ 7:47PM|#
For some people, not even laws banning cats are enough to clue
them in that government has gotten too big.
"Allow cats in delis? That's terrifyingly anarchist! Next you will
be lobbying to remove safety shields from bologna slicers!"
|12.27.07 @ 10:41AM|#
If only restaurants could be trusted to be transparent about
the kinds of animal that roam within their walls.
Yep, we gots roaches, flies, no mice, though - the rats took care
of them. Also, there's some raccoons and opossums getting into our
garbage when we don't put the cinder blocks on the lids.
Absolutely no cats, though - that would be a health risk.
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