A massive 22-inch rat was found inside a house, prompting an urgent warning because of concerns that the rodent problem is getting out of hand. A pest controller discovered the dead rat, which is believed to be among the largest ever discovered in the United Kingdom.
At the time of the discovery, he had been summoned to the Normanby, North Yorkshire, residence after hearing rumours of an infestation. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was informed that the animal, which was described as resembling the “sewer rat,” has been building its nest inside the residence.
It’s still unknown how it got there, but reports of it in the back alleyways nearby had already sparked concern.
Teeside Live said that residents were stunned by a picture of the enormous rodent that was circulated online. Calls have been made for comprehensive measures to address the increase in rodents in Cleveland and Redcar.
Councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin of the Eston ward stated that the issue is getting worse and called on Redcar and Cleveland Council to take immediate action.
Targeting council-owned land and involving companies, landlords, and social housing providers, they called for a comprehensive vermin survey and a borough-wide treatment strategy.
Additionally, Cllr. Taylor criticised the inadequate maintenance of the “overflowing” public trash cans in areas of Whale Hill and Eston. Rats had “easy food” in the form of discarded things from stores, especially takeaways, and they were able to hide in the overgrown vegetation on public property.
He urged the council to take synchronised action, stating that Normanby’s gigantic rat might not be an isolated incident without it.
Cllr Taylor stated: “The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get. It is a growing problem.” According to him, the captured rat was “massive” and resembled a small dog or cat. He had been informed by pest control professionals that a normal sewer rat could get to that size.
Redcar and Cleveland Council, like many other local authorities, no longer provides private homeowners with a pest management solution, but it does have a full-time officer to handle problems on council property. In the meantime, not all social housing providers provide this service by default, or if they do, it is only at their discretion.
Although the council’s “workforce on the ground doing an amazing job” was commended by Cllr. Taylor stated that the organisation’s senior leadership needs to provide more guidance on the issue. Even though the significant action being called for would “cost a fortune,” he acknowledged that the issue was also posing a health danger.