Animal Uprisingâ„¢ Orders Takeout!

The animal overlords of the Animal Uprising™ appear to have had a yen for some nice takeout chicken. So they sent their loyal minions to get some. This backfired on them when they got a little too much publicity, however.

The rats were caught on video.

NEW YORK – A dozen rats were caught on video scurrying around the floor of a New York City KFC/Taco Bell restaurant early Friday, running between counters and tables and climbing on children's high chairs.

News crews flocked to the windows of the Greenwich Village neighborhood restaurant, which hadn't opened for the day. By midmorning, the footage was all over the Internet and television news shows, with onlookers giving a play-by-play from the sidewalk as the rodents moved about.

"He's coming for his close-up," one bystander said as a rat came near the window.

A statement issued Friday for KFC/Taco Bell said construction in the building's basement on Thursday "temporarily escalated the situation."

The franchise owner "is actively addressing this issue," the statement said, adding that the restaurant will remain closed until the problem is "completely resolved."

"Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our customers. This is completely unacceptable and is an absolute violation of our high standard," it said.

I can understand why a fast food establishment would not actually want an endorsement by the Animal Uprising™. But they are being discriminatory, aren't they? After all, it is in Greenwich Village. CBS local coverage here complete with hot and cold running rats on video. The Health Department has formally ordered the restaurant be closed until it passes an inspection.