Baby Killed by Starving Rat

I am very upset that your editorial “One for the Books” (Sept. 4) never mentioned the obvious: The parents of the dead baby starved the rat that, as a last survival resort, bit the child. Any creature, human or not, that is totally dependent on human caretakers for its life and is neglected to the point of starvation, must be recognized as having suffered a crime. People who ignore the needs of a housebound and helpless pet, be it a cat, a dog, and yes, even a rat, are criminal.

Their child’s death is a tragedy. That innocent paid for the crime of his parents. The starving of the rat and the death of the baby are inextricably bound. It is therefore vital that people be made acutely aware of their responsibility toward an adopted animal as well as another human. That The Times missed the opportunity of this linkage is criminal as well.

RACHEL ROSENTHAL

Los Angeles

Shame on you for writing this editorial.

A 4-month-old boy dying after being bitten by his parent’s pet rat is indeed a horrifying story. But to call it “societal neglect” is very irresponsible on your part. These parents were receiving welfare from the county. The parents chose to spend the money on drugs and alcohol.

There are empty beds in numerous homeless shelters within a 30-minute drive from central Orange County. The parents chose to sleep in their car. And don’t forget, the parents chose to keep a hungry pet rat in the car with them!

Yes, society needs to look out for the well-being of all its people, even the stupid ones. But society cannot be held responsible when these people refuse the opportunities given to them.

And, yes, social services officials need to find better ways to intervene, when necessary, to prevent tragedies like this from happening.

PHILIP J. TERHORST

Bellflower