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A woman who killed a rat with a cricket bat at her home in rural North Devon says she believes a missed council bin collection has attracted vermin to her property.

Olivia Corrie, 64, who lives near Barnstaple, says rubbish piled up near her home after North Devon Council failed to collect it on Tuesday, May 8.

Since then, Olivia has noticed several rats around her house - one of which came so close to her property that she killed it using an ornamental cricket bat which was presented to her son.

(Image: Rob Tibbles)

But the council say Olivia put her bins out in the wrong place and say they have, in fact, instructed a pest control contractor to look into the issue.

Olivia, who describes herself as a simple, peaceful country woman, said: "I was wandering through the house and I paused as a dark shadow fell across the French doors.

"Then I spotted it - it was a brown, bulbous wild rat. It's flanks were heaving, in other words pregnant.

"I didn't dig it, didn't like that vibe.

"I hate all vermin. I think it's a long established fact that rats are vermin."

Startled, Olivia grabbed an ornamental cricket bat which she keeps in the house.

She said: "I discreetly followed it and took the bat right up to it and swung it.

"There was blood everywhere, it made me feel sick."

Olivia believes that rubbish left from a missed bin collection encouraged the rats onto her land.

She also claims that in the past a North Devon Council employed pest control officer has been to her property to deal with a similar problem.

Olivia contacted the council to see if the same person could come out and deal with the issue again, but was told that the authority no longer employs anyone in such a post.

Olivia says she is furious with the council and accused them of a "dereliction of duty".

(Image: Rob Tibbles)

She added: "I shall not pay one single penny of council tax, for I do not receive enough bang for my bucks."

But North Devon Council say Olivia had put her bins out in the wrong place, which is why they were not collected.

Andy Cole, the council's service lead for environmental protection, said: “On May 16 we instructed a pest control contractor to inform our investigations into this case, despite the customer’s rubbish not being put out in the correct place for collection – hence why it was missed.

“As all food waste is now collected weekly in sealed kerbside caddies, black bags and bins should not contain anything that would attract rats.

"We would like to remind customers that it is their own responsibility to prevent vermin infestations, and to tackle pests should such an infestation occur on their premises.

"This includes putting rubbish out in the right place at the right time for our waste and recycling crews to make their collection."

Although some council do provide a pest control service, Mr Cole says North Devon Council does not as the authority has no statutory duty to do so.

He added: “North Devon Council has not employed its own in-house pest control officer for at least 20 years.

"On occasion, however, we do engage the services of a qualified pest control contractor to inform our investigations into alleged infestations.”

What can North Devon Council do about pests?

Here's the advice North Devon Council offers on its website about pests and infestation:

North Devon Council does not provide a pest control service to domestic premises. You are advised to look in a business directory like Yellow Pages for a suitable contractor.

Unfortunately, we are not able to recommend specific contractors.

Although we do not have a duty to provide pest control services, we do have enforcement duties, along with individuals, relating to pests on land.

We can investigate:

pests arising from neighbouring land or property

public health issues – for example, pests in a shop, restaurant or workplace

In these cases, we may take enforcement action.