Lost tarantula prompts evacuation

Shahreen Saifi Staff Writer

On Friday, Nov. 10, a pterinochilus murinus, a poisonous tarantula, got loose in Davison House. The quad swarmed with disgruntled and terrified students as Davison was evacuated and Campus Security was notified.

“I was trying to take [the spider] out of the shipping container and it sprinted out. Since there’s an air vent next to my room I decided to notify Security,” said the owner of the tarantula and Davison resident Joe Rozek ’08. “I expected them to send a single guy with a can of Raid, not evacuate the building.”

The building was evacuated for seven hours and Security planned on flooding the ventilation system with carbon dioxide. Eventually an exterminator was sent into Rozek’s room and the spider was found huddled inside the student’s dresser.

“I’m really, really sorry about what happened. I’ve been keeping spiders in my room for two years and my rule has always been to call Security in case this ever happened. It hasn’t happened before,” said Rozek.

Rozek also added that although the spider was poisonous and a bite could cause pain, the bite would not be fatal or lead to lasting physical injuries.

“There was massive panic because of the myth surrounding tarantulas,” said Rozek.

Since the incident, a new rule has been implemented against keeping poisonous animals in the dorms. The rest of Rozek’s spiders have been locked in Olmsted Hall. Rozek is hoping to set up a spider display that will be open to students.

Rozek said he will not face serious consequences for the incident. “I didn’t technically break any rules so I’m not in any administrative trouble.” He has, however, been the victim of a number of “hate mails.” Rozek defended himself by saying that the spiders were not deadly, but extended his apologies to everyone who was inconvenienced.