Messa
DW Regular
A HUGE rat is held in pincers after being caught in a factory, increasing fears giant rodents are spreading across Britain.
The fat, 2ft-long animal is only slightly smaller than the 30in beast pictured in yesterday's Sun.
It was one of two massive rats killed by pest control firm Rentokil called to the Lincoln plant after the pair were seen stalking the grounds at night.
It is believed they had been feasting on food from a nearby farm.
Rentokil spokesman Malcolm Padley said: "They were both around 2ft and it's fair to say our technicians were very surprised at the size. It goes to show that where there's a food source, these rodents will grow big."
The Sun told yesterday how the 30in creature, dubbed Ratzilla, was shot by "ratter" Brandon Goddard, 31, on pest-plagued Ravenscliffe estate in Bradford, West Yorks.
The story prompted hundreds of Sun readers from all over Britain to tell us of their encounters with whopping vermin.
Reg Wilson, 78, of South Harrow, West London, said: "I've got the council coming around. I'm worried these jumbo rodents will hurt a child." Jewellery designer Frank Hunt, 28, told of a huge black rodent on a verge near Purfleet, Essex. And delivery driver John Barrow, 42, of Hayes, West London, has become so scared of packs of giant rats he will not get out of his lorry at night.
Pest control officers visited the Bradford estate yesterday, assuring locals they will investigate if any more "Ratzillas" are seen. Neighbourhood wardens were also seen in the area.
Some experts believe the rodents are South American coypus that survived a nationwide cull 20 years ago.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs yesterday revealed there had been 11 possible sightings of coypus in Britain in the past decade, though they were "inconclusive".
But Leeds businessman Steve Luya, 55, who lived in Nigeria for years, insisted our picture showed an African Greater Cane Rat that had escaped after being imported.
A pair of rats can produce 3,000 offspring a year. The rodents are known to carry 40 diseases including plague.
[email protected]
Read more: Gnaws II: Giant rat caught in Lincoln | The Sun |News
The fat, 2ft-long animal is only slightly smaller than the 30in beast pictured in yesterday's Sun.
It was one of two massive rats killed by pest control firm Rentokil called to the Lincoln plant after the pair were seen stalking the grounds at night.
It is believed they had been feasting on food from a nearby farm.
Rentokil spokesman Malcolm Padley said: "They were both around 2ft and it's fair to say our technicians were very surprised at the size. It goes to show that where there's a food source, these rodents will grow big."
The Sun told yesterday how the 30in creature, dubbed Ratzilla, was shot by "ratter" Brandon Goddard, 31, on pest-plagued Ravenscliffe estate in Bradford, West Yorks.
The story prompted hundreds of Sun readers from all over Britain to tell us of their encounters with whopping vermin.
Reg Wilson, 78, of South Harrow, West London, said: "I've got the council coming around. I'm worried these jumbo rodents will hurt a child." Jewellery designer Frank Hunt, 28, told of a huge black rodent on a verge near Purfleet, Essex. And delivery driver John Barrow, 42, of Hayes, West London, has become so scared of packs of giant rats he will not get out of his lorry at night.
Pest control officers visited the Bradford estate yesterday, assuring locals they will investigate if any more "Ratzillas" are seen. Neighbourhood wardens were also seen in the area.
Some experts believe the rodents are South American coypus that survived a nationwide cull 20 years ago.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs yesterday revealed there had been 11 possible sightings of coypus in Britain in the past decade, though they were "inconclusive".
But Leeds businessman Steve Luya, 55, who lived in Nigeria for years, insisted our picture showed an African Greater Cane Rat that had escaped after being imported.
A pair of rats can produce 3,000 offspring a year. The rodents are known to carry 40 diseases including plague.
[email protected]
Read more: Gnaws II: Giant rat caught in Lincoln | The Sun |News
