How did the rat become Baltimore’s unofficial mascot? Who’s behind this ubiquitous image? Why is it so popular? And what exactly is it supposed to mean as a symbol?

This episode, we meet:

Matt Fouse, rat hunter and founder of Ratczar

Toya Sykes-Coates, Chief of Property Management and the Baltimore Department of Public Works and previous head of Baltimore’s Rat Rubout Program

Dawn Biehler, Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at UMBC and author of Pests in the City: Flies, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, and Rats

How did the rat become Baltimore&rsquo;s unofficial mascot? Who&rsquo;s behind this ubiquitous image? Why is it so popular? And what exactly is it supposed to mean as a symbol?
This episode, we meet:
Matt Fouse, rat hunter and founder of <a href="https://www.ratczar.com/">Ratczar</a>
Toya Sykes-Coates, Chief of Property Management and the Baltimore Department of Public Works and previous head of <a href="https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/rat-eradication">Baltimore&rsquo;s Rat Rubout Program</a>
Dawn Biehler, Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at UMBC and author of <a href="https://uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295994826/pests-in-the-city/">Pests in the City: Flies, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, and Rats</a>

What’s got you curious about Baltimore, the region, and its people? Is there a local mystery that’s always left you scratching your head? Veteran WYPR journalist Aaron Henkin is reporting to a new assignment editor: You. And together, you’ll find some answers, or at least learn something new along the way.

What&rsquo;s got you curious about Baltimore, the region, and its people? Is there a local mystery that&rsquo;s always left you scratching your head? Veteran WYPR journalist Aaron Henkin is reporting to a new assignment editor: You. And together, you&rsquo;ll find some answers, or at least learn something new along the way.

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