Rodent Infestation Closes Target Store.

(April 3, 2009) PIKESVILLE, Md. -- You often hear of restaurants being shut down because of rodent problems, but an entire Target store?

That was the case at the Target store on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, Md., apparently rodent carcasses and feces were strewn throughout the store. Pet food bags and human food packages were also chewed open.

The Maryland Department of Environmental Protection shut down the store because it was infested with mice and other rodents. Baltimore County officials said the store had a problem at its snack bar in February, but it has since spread to the entire store.

Customers said they tried to shop at the store, but a manager was there all day Thursday to turn them away with no clear reason as to why the store was closed. Some said they were told the store was doing maintenance. One woman said the store told her it was a water main problem.

Jonas Jacobson, of the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management, said his office got an anonymous complaint at the end of March.

"We went out and found a much larger mouse infestation problem through the store," he said.

Jacobson said rodent carcasses and feces were strewn throughout the store. He said pet food bags and human food containers were also chewed open.