Lucy Devine
A gigantic rat has been found in a family home in North Yorkshire and people can't believe just how big it actually is.
They say you're never more than six feet away from a rat, but most of us don't like to think too much about it. After all, while they can make many people quite squeamish, unless they're inside your home, they generally keep themselves to themselves.
However, this wasn't the case for one family in Normanby, who ended up finding a rat the size of a cat in their home.
The rodent was 22 inches in length and was found in the home last week.
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Posting about it on Facebook, Eston Ward Councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin said: "This massive rat over 22 inches long from nose to tail was found inside a local home this weekend and this is the image a resident has sent. It’s almost the size of a small cat."
They went on to warn: "And it’s not a one-off. Rats are being spotted more and more around our area: In alleyways; around bins; on overgrown land; crossing the streets and now inside homes.
"Meanwhile, Redcar & Cleveland Council no longer handles domestic rat infestations. They may offer advice but if you’ve got rats in your home, garden, or alley, you’re expected to pay privately to deal with it."
People were horrified, with one person writing: "That rat is bigger than my grown cat."
While another added: "I’d be on the next flight out."
The councillors explained that rats tend to go to 'untouched land and easy food' first.
"As your local councillors, we’re calling on the Council administration to take this seriously, the people on the ground who do work extremely hard but we need this all round the borough," they said.
A Redcar and Cleveland council spokesperson told The Independent: “The council has a dedicated pest control officer who manages pest issues on council-owned land.
“While we no longer provide a wider pest control service, we do offer advice to residents where possible.
“The council continues to work with Beyond Housing, Northumbrian Water and other partners to address complex issues and explore potential solutions.
"There is also helpful guidance and preventative measures on our website to support people in dealing with pests.”
It's believed the rat is now the largest to have ever been caught in the UK, after a previous rodent measuring 21 inches was found in a property in Bournemouth in November 2018.
Tyla has reached out to Redcar and Cleveland council for comment.