Is It Legal to Shoot Rats?
WouterThere are many different methods to get rid of rats, some more humane than others. One question that many people ask is “is it legal to shoot rats?” There are certain states that allow the use of airguns, but shooting rats can be considered a criminal offense in other states. In addition to using airguns, some states allow the use of firearms to get rid of rats.
In most counties, it is legal to use rat poison for extermination, but killing them for sport is against the law in most states. However, there are some cases where this is legal, especially if you have a dog. While traditional rat poison is highly toxic to dogs, there are several natural alternatives that are not harmful to pets. If you have a small dog, you might want to consider using an airgun instead.
A 177-class rifle with a 12-foot-pound capacity is ideal for killing rats. Using this type of rifle, the rat is killed with minimum injury and does not continue running or crawling. This type of rifle is also legal to use on your own property, provided it is accompanied by a sensible backstop.
Another option is to set up live traps and remove any food sources that may attract rats. Rats will not stray very far from their nests, but if the food and water supply is available, they might find their way to your yard. If this method is not an option, you may want to hire an exterminator. In some states, you can even shoot the rats using air rifles.
