Fat rat running for the train

[Ms Blueberry]

Yesterday at about 9am while walking up the ramp to the London-bound East Dulwich train, a fat rat scurried (lumbered, really) across my path. Bold as brass. Eeeeks, I cried. I mention this as I thought rats, like mice, were nocturnal. Does my sighting indicate a worrying population explosion, or perhaps I was unlucky in seeing a rat insomniac?

[TheCat]

If you go to feed the ducks at Dulwich Park, near the boathouse, you will often find a rat or two nestled amongst the ducks nabbing their fare share of free bread....

slightly offputting

[Penguin68]

Over 20 years ago I walked into Herne Hill Station in the morning with a large rat pacing me on the pavement as I walked, almost like a dog on a lead. Somewhat disconcerting.

[Salsaboy]

I think that rats are starting to get as bold as foxes. I saw one with a traffic cone on its head a few days ago.

[dimples]

I saw a whole load of them in the carpark in dulwich village , 2pm on a sunny day !

[owlwise]

Rats have had bad press for far too long...

[Jeremy]

Salsaboy Wrote:

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> I saw one with a traffic cone on its head a few days ago.

Was probably taking it back to it's nest, along with a few road signs, a shopping trolley and four cans of strongbow.

[TheCat]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Salsaboy Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I saw one with a traffic cone on its head a few

> days ago.

>

> Was probably taking it back to it's nest, along

> with a few road signs, a shopping trolley and four

> cans of strongbow.

no, I think this one was part of the new breed of rats blowing-in from the home counties & clapham, coming out in the daytime and saying 'Look at me'....

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Thought this thread may have been about Yama Momo.

[Mick Mac]

Salsaboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think that rats are starting to get as bold as

> foxes. I saw one with a traffic cone on its head a

> few days ago.

Ha :)

[SteveUK1978]

Give it a few weeks and you will see them running back down the ramp towards the bus stop in a foul mood as they realise their train isn't coming. Evolution in real time.

[MrBen]

Why do ducks, cats and rabbits get a pass....but rats get persecuted.

It's really animalist.

[Countrlass22]

Yuk don't start about rats, neighbour rubbish behind there shed. Plus them away equaled our cats bringing us live rats last summer mostly killed

Told neighbour still not got rid heap rubbish but got rid shed..

Piles of rubbish equals rats.

Rather a fox

[fortified]

I seem to recall the rat problem is one of the reasons given on the posters asking people not to feed the ducks in Dulwich Park.

[stevie23b]

Remember our cat back in the day( smart speak) bringing home trophy rat kills and leaving them at the back door. Taught me the'long jump'. Dark after delivering evening local paper and the door was shut.

[Zak]

It's no wonder that there are rats running around the station, since nothing has been done for months and months about the gradual build up of litter and rubbish behind the fenced off areas.

I made a few enquiries and found out that it's Network Rail that are actually responsible for those fenced off areas. However, since Southern run the station I wrote to Joan Fairbrass, who is the station manager, with a few choice photos(including one of a very obliging rat),suggesting that she gets Network Rail to sort out what is actually a health & safety risk for Southern. She's come back to me and said that she'll get it dealt with.

If nothing happens, then I think we need an "adopt a station rat" story in one of the local papers!

[oliviaandmilo]

Big problem Rats in London. My biggest phobia and believe pest controllers have given up finding something that works to get rid or at least keep their numbers down. Unfortunately people and their food waste ect contribute to the pests.

[hc]

Penguin68 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Over 20 years ago I walked into Herne Hill Station

> in the morning with a large rat pacing me on the

> pavement as I walked, almost like a dog on a lead.

> Somewhat disconcerting.

I actually laughed out loud when I read this....hilarious

[James]

Which train was the rat running for? If it had been a fat cat it would be London Bridge for the City I imagine?

[Earl Aelfheah]

Presumably not the train to Catford

[leenorris78]

I heard and saw a rat today in the drain on Ondine Road. On the corner with Marsden Rd.

[Dvn]

They say you are never more than 6ft away from a rat, don't they?!!

[MissKing]

You often see rats swimming in the duck pond in dulwich park!