Story of the Week: Invasion of the Giant Rats

Now it is the silly season, and it was in The Sun – but it’s a great story.

In case you missed it, ‘ratzillas’ have been discovered on an estate in Bradford where residents have described how rats the size of bulldogs terrorise their cats and keep them awake at night, screeching around the rafters like drag racing cars.

As well as speaking to worried neighbours, The Sun also sought expert opinion, talking to the Mammal Society (good PR opportunity) and the Yorkshire Rat Club President (I’m not kidding). The Sun concluded its report with an appeal for anyone who’d seen the MONSTER RAT to get in touch.

And I’ve got to hand it to the press office at Rentokil, who feature in a follow up entitled Gnaws II in today’s Sun. They’ve produced pictures of a two-foot long beast that they recently caught in Lincoln – after reports of a pair ‘stalking’ the grounds at night.

Hundreds of Sun readers have also been in touch, describing their encounters with ‘whopping’ rats – including a lorry driver who’s too afraid to get out of his cab at night.

Regardless of what you make of the story – it can’t be ignored from a PR point of view. Local papers will be demanding to know what their local council is doing about rat control and what measures are in place to cope with an INVASION OF THE GIANT RATS.

Pet shops could come under fire for encouraging rat ownership and hardware stores might need to gear themselves up for a run on traps and poison, no doubt sparking fears for the safety of young children and other pets (a new angle to keep the story running). Before you know it, rat terror will be gripping the country. Just the thing for the silly season.

Of course you never read The Sun, but one day you could find yourself unexpectedly in the spotlight – so be prepared. It’s no good protesting that they make it all up – remember most people believe what they read…

And don’t forget time is of the essence in situations such as this – no doubt Rentokil’s competitors are kicking themselves.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3102460/Invasion-of-the-giant-rats-in-Bradford.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3104027/Gnaws-II-Giant-rat-caught-in-Lincoln.html