A Manhattan judge has ordered the iconic Greenwich Village restaurant Babbo to hand over video footage that could identify an individual who allegedly stabbed a pro-union inflatable rat mascot last year. The decision stems from a dispute between the restaurant and Local 25, a union representing hospitality workers.

Local 25 claims an employee of Babbo, owned by Starr Restaurants, stabbed the inflatable rat, known as “Scabby the Rat,” during the restaurant’s Oct. 27 grand reopening. To support this allegation, the union sought the restaurant's closed-circuit television (CCTV) video.

A Manhattan Supreme Court decision on June 30 mandated that Babbo provide the video, along with other requested information, to the union. This information includes the names of diners and potentially staff members present that evening, as well as any communications between employees regarding the incident.

While Local 25 has not yet filed a lawsuit against Babbo, the union stated that confirmation from the video could lead to legal action. "It shows that the court is taking this very seriously," union staffer Mike Haack said regarding the court order.

According to Haack, police were called to Babbo after he reported the incident. Officers searched the dining room for a man with a small paring knife. Haack had brought “Scabby” to the restaurant to protest labor practices by owner Starr Restaurants, which also operates Buddakan and Pastis. Haack told The Post that at the time of the alleged stabbing, he heard a “hissing sound” and saw a man, who had just exited the restaurant, wearing attire similar to the wait staff uniform. As he turned, Haack observed the man holding a paring knife before the individual re-entered the establishment. Shortly after, “Scabby” emitted a hissing sound from an 8-inch hole in its thigh.

Police were unable to locate a suspect, and Babbo reportedly informed officers that its surveillance video would only be released with a subpoena, which the court has now granted.

“Scabby the Rat,” which costs approximately $7,000, was repaired after the incident. Haack emphasized the union’s use of such large balloon figures as a means to exercise their First Amendment rights. Local 25 represents hospitality workers primarily in the Washington, D.C. area, where Starr Restaurants also operates establishments the group aims to unionize.

Representatives for Starr Restaurants and its legal counsel, Troutman Pepper Locke, did not respond to requests for comment.