Neuty, beloved nutria rat, allowed to stay with Bucktown family

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A beloved nutria will likely be allowed to stick with his adopted household after the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and fisheries chooses to not take away the rodent from its house owners.

This comes after 1000’s on social media signed a petition to maintain ‘Neuty’ with the Lacoste household.

You’ll be able to consider him as a rodent or invasive species, however to the Lacostes, he’ll at all times be a member of the household.

Denny Lacoste says they discovered Neuty years in the past, barely capable of stroll, making an attempt to cross the road.

“I used to be coming to work and the mother was crossing the highway with about six to eight pups, and a few received ran over and he was simply type of on the bottom crying so I finished my truck, and I picked him up,” stated Lacoste.

Since then, Neuty has turn into domesticated.

“He’s quite a lot of work. I’ll by no means have one other one. He’s been good. Identical to a pet would do. He’s been good for the final two years, potty educated.”

However after being highlighted in an area information story, the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries tried to take away the two-year-old, 22-pound nutria, as it’s unlawful to accommodate them as pets.

Labeled an invasive species, nutria had been launched into the wild after the fur market tanked within the 1930′s. They’ve been recognized to have an effect on wetlands and different animal habitats negatively.

In an announcement, the division deliberate to reintroduce Neuty on the Baton Rouge Zoo. However Lacoste says that’s when the group stepped up.

“20,000 signatures nationwide. Our associates in Alaska referred to as. He’s in a paper up there.”

With over with tens of 1000’s of supporters on social media and a petition on change.org, Denny says he’s been blown away by the assist from the group.

And after lawyering up, the Lacostes and Wildlife and Fisheries lastly got here to an understanding.

“It’s effective; they labored with us. They had been good and well mannered. We by no means had any issues, simply needed to get by some legalities.”

Which means on this uncommon case, Neuty is staying along with his household.

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