Violence erupted at the bottom of the stairs leading to the lower yard when the resident pack of rats living under the old modular building faced an uninvited intruder. The intruder, Big Fatty, a vicious looking grey rat usually seen in the area of old Receiving and Release complex, invaded the territory of the pack resulting in an epic territorial battle, say witnesses.“I saw two rats fighting; it was worse than seeing humans fight. One of the rats was tearing into the underbelly of the other,” said one prisoner who joined in the crowd of spectators.
According to witnesses, the fight turned deadly when another member of the resident rats joined in the fray, assisting a fellow member of the pack in attacking the intruder.
“It was a two on one,” said one inmate. “The fat one didn’t stand a chance.”
In the normally quiet prison yard, the rats violent squeaking and squawking was heard as the mêlée continued to shock the prisoners who gathered to watch. Big Fatty, outnumbered and outmaneuvered, received a crippling bite to his left arm causing him to list over, leaving his underbelly vulnerable. Seconds later the attacking rats took advantage of the opportunity and finished Big Fatty off.
“The big rat limped, dragging his right side for a few feet and then collapsed,” said witnesses.
News of the fight spread throughout the facility and many prisoners walked over to look at Big Fatty’s body, which lay lifeless next to the modular building for all to see.
Mr. Crawford of San Quentin vector control, after hearing rumors about the lethal brawl, responded two days later to remove Big Fatty’s carcass. When Crawford saw the body, he was amazed at its size.
“Usually rats live to be about three years old,” said Crawford. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the rats here at San Quentin live to be six; the prison is very accommodating to them.”
On the same day and unrelated to the rat debacle, vector control answered a call from the Media Center to retrieve two mice trapped in a plastic garbage can.
