I discovered a rat as huge as a canine in my again backyard after rodents infested my home

A RETIRED pub boss, plagued by rats in his garden, has caught a dog as big as it is small.

Derek Blamire, 82, sets traps to catch the bugs, which keep making their way in from nearby open country to feast on their birdseed.

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Derek got Mrs Sylvia to take a picture of the oversized beast while holding it up to the cameraPhoto credit: Kennedy News

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Derek has caught 50 rats in the last few yearsPhoto credit: Kennedy News

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The rat entered Derek’s garden from nearby open land and raided his bird feederPhoto credit: Kennedy News

He tricked Ms Sylvia, 80, into taking a picture of the dead Border Terrier-sized rat as he held it up with a garbage collector.

Great-grandfather Derek said, “From nose to tail it was about 18 inches long.

“It was as long as a little baby.”

Sylvia added: “It scared me to death.”

He’s caught 50 rats in the last few years.

Some have learned to avoid the baited traps, so often Derek from Blackburn leaves his bird feeders empty to make the rodents hungrier and lure them in.

He said, “If they keep coming, I’ll keep catching them.

“I will not give up.”