Monster 22-inch rat found in home called ‘size of a small cat'; locals horrified
The discovery was shared on Facebook by Eston Ward councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin, who revealed that the rat was found in the Normanby area of Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire. 'Rats are being spotted more and more around our area,' they wrote, listing sightings in alleyways, around bins, on overgrown land, crossing streets — and now, inside homes.
Take a look at the post below:
The councillors pointed to several contributing factors, including overflowing bins, overgrown public land, and untreated council-owned plots, as ideal breeding grounds for the pests. 'The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get. We need action — not just advice,' the post warned.
A photo accompanying the post showed the massive rodent inside a large plastic bag, its full size on clear display.
Locals horrified, internet reacts
Viewers were quick to react, with many expressing their disgust and alarm. One resident said they had seen 'two just left dead in the street to rot,' while another claimed to have spotted a rat 'the size of a Jack Russell' drinking from a puddle.
'That rat is bigger than my grown cat,' read a comment on Facebook. 'Proper sewer rat that... must be something going down if they're surfacing?' another person wondered.
In an update on August 3, the councillors said the area had faced similar issues two years ago, when effective action was taken, but warned that 'the rats are back, and in even greater numbers.'
According to them, the Redcar and Cleveland Council no longer handles domestic rat infestations, instead offering advice and leaving residents to arrange and fund pest control on their own. They argue that this hands-off approach has worsened the crisis.
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Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Indian Express
‘Size of a small cat': Giant 22-inch rat caught from house in northern England sparks concerns about pest control
Pest controllers recently caught a massive rat, believed to be the biggest ever seen in the United Kingdom (UK), from a house in northern England, sparking a wave of concern and disbelief online. Measuring an astonishing 22 inches from nose to tail, the giant rodent was discovered in the Normanby area of Redcar and Cleveland after a worried resident contacted exterminators. Local councillors were shown a photo of the animal and were stunned by its size, describing it as 'almost the size of a small cat'. For context, the previous record-holder for Britain's biggest rat was a 21-inch rodent found in a Bournemouth home back in 2018. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), a charity in England and Wales that works to promote animal welfare, says most rats in the UK typically grow to around 11 inches — making this latest find nearly double the average. Eston ward councillor David Taylor told The Telegraph that the rat problem has been steadily escalating, especially since the Labour-led council scrapped free pest control services for residents. 'The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get,' Taylor warned. 'It is a growing problem.' While the council claims it has a dedicated pest control officer for public land and offers guidance to residents, locals say it's not enough. Taylor and fellow councillor Stephen Martin took to Facebook, urging action: 'Rats are being spotted more and more around our area. As your local councillors, we're calling on the Council administration to take this seriously.' Their post quickly went viral, with social media users chiming in from across the UK, and even abroad. One user joked, 'You must have never been to the Nation's Capitol or New York. Because most big cities have Rats that you could put on the police force. Put 'em in uniform, give a taser, and the city would be crimeless.' Others shared their own rat encounters, with one person saying, 'I saw the biggest rat I've ever seen in my home. My cat sat there looking at it, two inches away. Craziest thing I've ever seen.' Another added, 'This is nothing new. We get rats every year as soon as the weather gets cold. I've been told to get traps and poison or humane traps.'
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Time of India
Massive 22-inch rat found in UK home, residents call for action as sightings surge: 'Bigger than my grown cat'
Source: Facebook Residents of Normanby in Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire, were left horrified after an enormous rat measuring 22 inches from nose to tail was discovered inside a home. The rodent, described as being 'almost the size of a small cat,' was found by a pest control worker responding to a routine callout. What was initially an isolated incident quickly became a viral social media topic after local councillors shared photos online, drawing attention to a growing rat infestation problem across the region. The discovery has ignited a broader conversation among residents, who have reported increasingly frequent rat sightings in alleyways, around overflowing rubbish bins, on overgrown public land, and even crossing streets in broad daylight. The fact that such a massive rodent managed to find its way inside a home has amplified fears of a public health crisis. 22-inch rat found in UK home image goes viral, residents report more sightings The shocking image of the oversized rat, carefully sealed inside a large plastic bag, was posted on Facebook by Eston Ward councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin. They revealed that the rat was discovered during routine pest control work in the Normanby area. The Facebook post instantly caught attention, with horrified residents sharing their own experiences: One user described seeing two rats left dead on the street to rot. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Another claimed to have spotted a rat 'the size of a Jack Russell' drinking from a puddle. Others expressed disbelief, comparing the rodent to the size of their grown domestic cats. Comments ranged from disgust to fear, with one person writing, 'That rat is bigger than my grown cat,' while another questioned, 'Proper sewer rat that... must be something going down if they're surfacing?' This surge of public reaction has revealed the scale of the issue and how unsettled residents feel about the worsening rodent population in their neighborhoods. Why are rat sightings increasing According to the councillors, several factors have contributed to the surge in rodent activity: Overflowing bins and improper waste disposal Overgrown public land and unmaintained council-owned plots Increased availability of food sources for pests Reduced domestic pest control intervention by local authorities Two years ago, Redcar and Cleveland faced similar rodent issues but managed to control them through coordinated pest control measures. However, the councillors warn that the current situation is more severe because the council no longer handles domestic rat infestations. Instead, residents are now given advice and are required to hire private pest control services at their own expense. This shift has left many residents vulnerable, especially those who cannot afford costly pest control treatments, creating an ideal environment for rats to multiply unchecked. Rising rodent sightings raise concerns over urban management The councillors stressed that if the issue is left unaddressed, rats will continue to invade homes and public areas, putting the health and safety of the community at risk. They have urged immediate action, including: Clearing overgrown public plots Addressing waste collection and bin overflow issues Considering reinstating council-supported domestic pest control services The discovery of the giant 22-inch rat is being seen as a wake-up call for local authorities. Residents are demanding proactive measures to prevent a potential full-scale rodent infestation and restore public confidence in local sanitation and safety. While isolated incidents of large rodents are not unheard of in urban areas, the Normanby case stands out due to the sheer size of the rat and the growing pattern of infestations across Redcar and Cleveland. For many residents, this incident has transformed what was once an occasional nuisance into a major community concern. The incident also raises questions about how urban environments and public health systems manage pest control responsibilities amid budget constraints and changing policies. Until decisive measures are implemented, locals fear that sightings of oversized rats could become even more common—potentially putting homes, businesses, and public health at risk. Also Read | Japan's oldest living person Shigeko Kagawa becomes 114-year-old longevity icon after Miyoko Hiroyasu death
Hindustan Times
04-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Monster 22-inch rat found in home called ‘size of a small cat'; locals horrified
Locals were left horrified after an enormous rat, measuring over 22 inches from nose to tail, was discovered inside a home in England. The rodent, described as being 'almost the size of a small cat,' was found by a pest control worker and has sparked widespread concern online and in the local community. A 22-inch rat was found inside a home in England, prompting horrified reactions (Facebook/@EstonMatters) The discovery was shared on Facebook by Eston Ward councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin, who revealed that the rat was found in the Normanby area of Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire. 'Rats are being spotted more and more around our area,' they wrote, listing sightings in alleyways, around bins, on overgrown land, crossing streets — and now, inside homes. Take a look at the post below: The councillors pointed to several contributing factors, including overflowing bins, overgrown public land, and untreated council-owned plots, as ideal breeding grounds for the pests. 'The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get. We need action — not just advice,' the post warned. A photo accompanying the post showed the massive rodent inside a large plastic bag, its full size on clear display. Locals horrified, internet reacts Viewers were quick to react, with many expressing their disgust and alarm. One resident said they had seen 'two just left dead in the street to rot,' while another claimed to have spotted a rat 'the size of a Jack Russell' drinking from a puddle. 'That rat is bigger than my grown cat,' read a comment on Facebook. 'Proper sewer rat that... must be something going down if they're surfacing?' another person wondered. In an update on August 3, the councillors said the area had faced similar issues two years ago, when effective action was taken, but warned that 'the rats are back, and in even greater numbers.' According to them, the Redcar and Cleveland Council no longer handles domestic rat infestations, instead offering advice and leaving residents to arrange and fund pest control on their own. They argue that this hands-off approach has worsened the crisis.
