COUNCIL PEST CONTROLLER BATTERED RAT WITH GOLF CLUB
Welfare charities blast ‘horrific cruelty’ in family home
ANIMAL welfare leaders have called for an inquiry after it emerged an experienced council pest control officer repeatedly bludgeoned a “squealing” rat with a golf club in a family’s home.
The worker was on a callout to a house in Shettleston, in Glasgow’s East End, which was being treated for an infestation and is said to have clubbed the rat twice.
However, the blows were not enough to kill the stricken rodent and it escaped.
Glasgow City Council said workers “had a variety of ways” for dealing with rats effectively.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn described the incident as “horrific” and said qualified pest control workers had a duty to carry out their work humanely while his actions were also condemned by animal welfare charity One Kind.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn described the incident as “horrific” and said qualified pest control workers had a duty to carry out their work humanely.
And animal welfare charity One Kind condemned the local authority employee’s “inhumane” actions.
The Evening Times told how Steven Haig and his partner Hazel Grimes took their four children out of their home on Friday following an incident where Hazel was bitten by one of the rats.
It is understood Shettleston Housing Association has now agreed to relocate the family in temporary accommodation until the infestation is cleared. Steven said he was surprised when the employee brought the golf club into the family’s home last week.
He said: “He left it in the house, then on Tuesday he was looking under the sink cupboard where the rats are getting in.
“He saw one and hit it twice with the club and it squealed and ran away. I thought it was a bit bizarre.”
Mr Flynn was hugely critical of the methods used to try and snare the rodents.
He added: “Local authorities are within their rights to control animal populations where public health or safety is concerned and any action to deter animals occupying an area must be humanely carried out by a qualified individual.
“This incident sounds horrific and far from the conduct you would expect from a professional.
“We would urge those involved to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999 so we can fully investigate.”
A spokeswoman for One Kind described the pest control worker’s actions a “inhumane.”
A council spokeswoman said: “An experienced pest controller visited the house.
“They have a variety of ways of dealing with rodents effectively and efficiently.”