This massive rodent was found next to a children’s playground in London
Britain's biggest ever RAT: 4ft monster rodent found at children's PLAYGROUND
A MONSTER rat bigger than a CHILD has been found next to a playground - sparking disgust across Britain.
Tony Smith spotted Britain's biggest ever rat in the middle of London
The mutant rat, which weighed upwards of 25lbs, was spotted lying in a bush next to a popular children's playground.
The rodent, which was found dead, was discovered near where children play which backed onto a railway track near Hackney Downs, north London on Thursday.
Mr Smith snapped a picture of the rat being held by electrician friend James Green, 46, to the glee and disgust of his friends.
"I've got a cat and a Jack Russell and it was bigger than both of those put together.
"I'd say it was about four foot. We were going to stick it in the bin, but before we did we thought we better take a picture of people won't believe it's real."
He said: "The bins get left open nearby so these little fellas have a pretty good diet.
"They eat fried chicken and rice all the time."
The rat is the same length as a four-year-old boy.
Experts are unsure what type of rat the rodent is, with pest control company Rentokill thinking it may be a freak of evolution.
Dr Dougie Clarke of the University of Huddersfield believes that the giant rat may be an African pouch rat.
Kevin Coughtrie, who works as a foreman for Crossrail says he has never seen a rat that big in his 30 years living in London.
Kevin, who says he doesn't mind rodents, usually works nights and sees lots of wildlife whilst biking home from work.
He said: "That's got to be a South American rat or something. That thing is big enough to be someone's pet.
"I would say they are living next to the railway tracks as that's where the foxes live.
"I work night shifts and always see lots of foxes and normal sized rats but I can't believe how big that King rat is.
"They don't allow dogs on the estate and so people get other pets. Maybe someone bought a massive rat and then realised it was ugly and set it free?"
Another resident, Rosie Slade, says she hates rats, mice and other rodents.
The 40-year-old said: "If I saw that rat walking around I'd definitely move out.
"It's probably eaten all of the rats on the estate.
"You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of it, I bet it's teeth are massive.
"I have seen rats before around the bins and the bushes, they are horrible and I absolutely hate them.
"The other day I put my rubbish in the bins and my hand was in there for just a moment and a rat almost touched me.
"I screamed and ran off, I was so scared I hate them."
A spokesperson for Hackney Council said they have not been contacted about any rat problems near the estate.
The spokesman said: "The estate in question is not owned or managed by Hackney Council - it is managed by a housing association called IDS.
"We have not been contacted about a rat problem on this estate but will speak to IDS and offer them our pest control services if needed.
"We provide pest control services to all Hackney Council homes as well as private properties but have never seen or dealt with abnormally large rats.
"We cannot verify the size of the rat allegedly found in Hackney without seeing the body ourselves.
"If any landlords or residents are concerned about vermin in their homes they can contact our pest control department for advice."
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