In 1926, the San Diego County Medical Society proposed to the City Council to appoint a "rat catcher." Being a port city, San Diego was concerned about the potential escape of plague-infected rats from ships docking at the port. The introduction and spread of diseases such as plague, rat leprosy, and pseudo-tuberculosis were feared consequences. This concern arose after a plague epidemic occurred in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1925, with the disease subsequently spreading from urban rats to rural rodents, becoming established in numerous regions across the western United States.

•  19260216 Doc185291 Communication of County Medical Society regarding employment of a “rat catcher “