-Brian Watson, 67, picked it up with paddle which broke as 'rat' was so heavy
-Police might investigate pensioner for his actions


By Nick Enoch

Brian Watson, 67, from Waskerley, Consett in County Durham, was made aware of the monster's presence after his granddaughter's boyfriend cried out while mowing the grass

A 'giant rat' measuring 4ft from nose to tail has been caught and killed by a pensioner with a lump of wood on his farm.

Brian Watson, 67, from Waskerley, Consett in County Durham, was made aware of the monster's presence after his granddaughter's boyfriend cried out while mowing the grass.

Mr Watson said: 'I heard him shouting there was a large rat. I came running round the corner. I managed to grab some wood on the way.'

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The 'giant rat' measured about 4ft from nose to tail

'It wasn't very fast. I managed to kill it there and then. I've never seen a rat as big in my life before.'

One reason it was quite slow is that it might have been pregnant.

'I think it was due to drop young 'uns,' Mr Watson added.

Some observers believe the creature was a coypu - a large South American rodent, also known as a river rat or swamp beaver, which is bred for its fur.

After killing it, the grandfather tried to scoop it up with a paddle - but it was so heavy that the paddle broke.

The incident first came to light when Mr Watson's friend, Bri Mitchell, posted a picture of the rodent after it had been caught, on Twitter.


The pensioner later incinerated the creature's body after word of the monster spread

Mr Watson said: 'We left it for a few days, but word got round so we decided to destroy it and we chucked it on the fire and got rid of it that way.'

Durham Police said the pensioner may be investigated for his actions, while the RSPCA has urged people to contact them with concerns about animal cruelty.

Police officers will need more information about the animal and the circumstances surrounding its death before they can decide whether any crime has been committed.

A spokesman for the police said: 'We are aware of this incident and our officers will be looking into it in due course.'
In cases of animal cruelty, prosecutions can be brought by the RSPCA.

A spokesman for the charity said: 'We would urge anyone with more information about this incident to contact our cruelty line and we will look into it further.'




source:dailymail