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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rat with broken leg in my garden

260 replies

HgnncaNameMy · 16/06/2020 11:46

There's a grassy area behind my house full of rats and mice. I moved here in February and the neighbours said theres a massive rat problem

I have 4 cats so don't have many issues

Theres currently a rat hiding under the kids garden toy and its leg is definetly broken, 3 of its legs seem fine but it's dragging one behind it

Who can i ring about this? Will someone come out and take it?

I know people class them as vermin but it's still a living creature that must be in absolute agony right now

OP posts:
Original poster
HgnncaNameMy · 16/06/2020 11:46

Rat

Rat with broken leg in my garden
Rat with broken leg in my garden
OP posts:
Haretodaygonetomorrow · 16/06/2020 11:47

I would try a local wildlife rescue centre. I’ve had them take an orphaned baby rat before.

HappyHammy · 16/06/2020 11:48

Is there a wildlife rescue centre near you. Maybe even a vet might help it. Can you trap it safely.

Haretodaygonetomorrow · 16/06/2020 11:49

Just to add I expect they will humanely euthanise rather than treat the leg. So in that case if you felt brave enough any local vet should take wildlife and treat them (euthanising is a treatment) too.

HappyHammy · 16/06/2020 11:50

Can you put something over the toy like an old blanket to keep it in there

TheQueef · 16/06/2020 11:51

Can you euthanize it yourself?

Original poster
HgnncaNameMy · 16/06/2020 11:52

I'm just googling now, I live in Salford and a quick Google then didnt show one for rats

I'm worried if i put a blanket over it my cats will seek shelter and find it ( their all out and about )

I dont drive so I cant transport it myself

OP posts:
HappyHammy · 16/06/2020 11:53

I think trying to kill it yourself will be extremely traumatic for everyone including rattyConfused

SandysMam · 16/06/2020 11:54

The trauma caused by human intervention to a wild animal will be worse than the trauma of it’s broken leg. It will probably be gone by tomorrow, either picked up by a Cat or adapted to being on 3 legs. I would leave it.
You need to get the council to do something about the problem though, rats and mice are so filthy.

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 16/06/2020 11:55

I would imagine your cats have caught a few rats in their time. What makes you want to protect this one?

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 16/06/2020 11:56

Brick to the bonce the most humane thing to do. Don't bother RSPCA/vet, they'll just euthanise it in any case, and it's cruel to leave it for the cat.

Krong · 16/06/2020 11:56

I'm a country girl so I would have smacked it over the head with a shovel by now to put it out of its misery.

Never heard of anyone wanting to take a RAT to get medical assistance!!!

and no, I don't think the RSPCA would come out for that.

HappyHammy · 16/06/2020 11:56

How about Animals in Distress in Irlam or a local vet

fodderbeet · 16/06/2020 11:57

If you can't/won't hit it with a shovel, do you know anyone with a dog that would kill it? Hate the little buggers, but also hate the idea of you leaving it in pain to die slowly.

Shuttup · 16/06/2020 12:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SteelyPanther · 16/06/2020 12:01

I would put it out of its misery, it must be terrified and in pain.
Whack it with a spade.

CockCarousel · 16/06/2020 12:06

Can you euthanize it yourself?

I have done this before and it was traumatic for all, wringing a living creatures neck (you have to pull like you're trying to wrench the head off) needs a lot of... conviction.

You can euthanase at home by making CO2 link here.

Sharkerr · 16/06/2020 12:11

Never heard of anyone wanting to take a RAT to get medical assistance!!!

You have now, Krong. Do calm down.

OP, ring around a few vets and see what they say, they’ll probably be happy to help. That’s what I’ve done on several occasions over the years with severely injured pigeons I’ve come across (for example having seen them get hit by a car). None would ever accept any payment though I offered.

One survived and was released, the vet said if I’d left him to it he’d have been killed by a cat, he just was stunned and needed some time in a safe place to recuperate before being released. The other died but in a calm environment, and at least they were given the chance to be helped if it had been possible (nobody would have known whether they had a chance or not without being taken in).

If you find a willing vet and can catch him/her then either take a taxi or post on your fb and there might be someone willing to transport. I know I would. Good luck and thanks for caring ❤️

Thisismytimetoshine · 16/06/2020 12:13

Put it out of it's misery, fgs. You can't just leave it to die slowly.

Nitpickpicnic · 16/06/2020 12:14

It takes no bravery at all to thump it on the head with a heavy shovel (or similar).

Don’t overthink it, just head on out there and do it. 3 second job, humane outcome.

Outsourcing the job is slightly pathetic and cruel in the delay.
Woman up!

AvoidingRealHumans · 16/06/2020 12:14

I would probably try and get it back onto the field and let nature take its course, whether that be it dies, becomes victim to another animal or it adapts to having one less leg.

There's no way I could try and kill myself

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 16/06/2020 12:15

You sound rather ranty for some reason Krong

No nonsense type I assume . Not everybody is like you .

Abraid2 · 16/06/2020 12:16

Spade to the back of the neck. Being a wild creature without full use of legs isn’t any fun. It will be prey to foxes. I have done this several times to rabbits and pigeons to end their suffering quickly.

TheQueef · 16/06/2020 12:17

@CockCarousel

Can you euthanize it yourself?

I have done this before and it was traumatic for all, wringing a living creatures neck (you have to pull like you're trying to wrench the head off) needs a lot of... conviction.

You can euthanase at home by making CO2 link here.

Me too, it's not as straight forward as breaking a neck. Rats bite and even injured rats are fast.

If one has the stomach for it a hammer does the trick but it isn't nice, quick though.

StarScream22 · 16/06/2020 12:18

Brick.