Rats Spread As Baltimore Fights Foreclosures

``Faison has lived in the same Shirley Avenue house in northwestern Baltimore for about 30 years. Foreclosures aren't new to his neighborhood, he said. And he's never really cared, since the homes would eventually be filled with new residents and the effect on his property was short-lived. At least, that was his attitude until 2009, when a record number of home repossessions in his city led to his home being infested with rats. The rodents would find their way from the neighboring boarded-up house into his, chewing holes in his walls and running through his basement and kitchen. One of Faison's dogs got rabies from the vermin, forcing him to put the dog down, he said.''