tbh, i dont know how rats got here. but that doesnt matter coz that wasnt what i was meaning. i wasnt meaning here as in this country, it was as in here alive.

that is sad. i had pet rats (i know they are very different to wild rats) but they are such intelligent, loving creatures. it's such a shame the wild rat is so very different.

I know, I love pet ones, and would love a hooded, but a wild one to me is a pest, also I'm sure wild rats are why your never meant to have cans in a pub .

OT but I was reading the other day about the history of rats (well it was a bit about bull breeds ) and it said that if we didn't have the rat pits in the olden days then we wouldn't have pet rats now as some of the people who ran them (can't remember his name) bred some of the wild ones so that he didn't have to catch too many, and he kept or sold any colour mutations, which at the time were fashionable for ladies to have in squirrel cages , so it just goes to show, that, there really is no pleasure without the pain, if you get what I mean

it is a shame that wild rats get such a bad press and it rolls over to pet rats as well If humans weren't so mucky wild rats wouldn't take advantage

This article mentions the two men who are credited with starting fancy rats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat

Hello Krusewalker

now there's an idea!!!!

And you are entitled to it, yes there are people who consider dogs pests, I guess it al down to where you live what animals are doing what to your crops /livestock . as to whether you consider it a pest /vermin or not.

you are joking right........ we have a horrendous problem with wild rats in this country, we can not keep on top of it even with pest control, they are multiplying by their thousands..daily!! and you would see then being left alone because they have a right to life

Tell that to the household that is infested with rats,

Tell me, what would you do if you found your home was infested with rats.. what if you has small children, or your dog picked up a disease and was ill,

Would you still have the "leave them alone" attitude.


By the way have you not heard of leptospirosis , and the Bubonic plague

Maybe , maybe not, it would depend on the skill of the marksman.........not forgetting he would have to find the fox first.... they do a thing called going to ground you know!!





Again, you are under a misconception... the field do not chase an animal, the ride to hounds... the hounds chase the fox!!!!!


That has to be the most silliest of statements you have ever made.

Pest/population control is vital to health of not only to the human race, but to the animals themselves!!!

We have a deer heard down the road, they carry out a cull ever couple of yrs , if they did not the deer would become overpopulated and starve.

I guess your convictions would just allow them to be left alone... become to large a heard and suffer the consequences.. instead of the healthy heard they are today!!!

http://www.terrierwork.com/pestcontrol.htm
CAUTION contains the damage Foxes do.

For those that think Foxes should be let do as they please. It also explains what is and isnt allowed with the Hunting with dogs act.

Im still struggling with that one too.

They do indeed, difficult to get to it without a Terrier.

Thats what I was trying to explain ages ago that the kill is not part of the "fun" the ride and being in the country riding across ground you have permission to do so on, with fellow riders is.

The league against Cruel sports allowed Deer to breed unchecked and they became diseased and dying, they even managed to "try" and kill some themselves, have a look if you choose too, very "compassionate" eh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbgDclFnxdI

Funny, when I suggested reducing fox numbers by contraception bait no one commented! None have to die because they would not be born.

Im sorry WDO I didnt see that. I know at one time it was suggested, however as with everything that targets a "species" you have to be certain that only that species will get it. How would that be done? Food? How can anyone be sure thats the only animal that will get it? it could kill other species couldnt it? The other problem is cost. There is nobody that would pay for it either.