30 Dead Rats, ‘Save the Males’ Sign Dumped on VMI Campus
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LEXINGTON, Va. — Hours before the first 30 women at Virginia Military Institute began the school’s grueling “rat line” initiation Wednesday, 30 dead rats and a sign reading “Save the Males” were found on the school’s parade grounds.
The white laboratory rats apparently were left by pranksters from a rival school.
All 458 freshmen, known as “rats” at VMI, lined up at attention on the parade ground, facing screaming upperclassman drill masters as they started the “rat line,” a six-month ordeal intended to test their physical, mental and emotional endurance.
The dead lab rats were found earlier on the same parade ground. “What kind of people would do that? Sick people,” said Supt. Josiah Bunting.
The rats may have been left as a prank by students at rival Washington & Lee University, whose campus adjoins VMI.
A reporter and photographer said they encountered a young man Tuesday night who said some W&L; students were considering dumping the rats, apparently from school labs.
“We’re pretty sure the rats are ours,” W&L; security chief Mike Young said.
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