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An animal hoarder lived with a good 800 rats in a family home in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate.
According to the authorities, the veterinary office had already released 400 animals from the house in Wissen an der Sieg (Altenkirchen district) last week.
In another operation on Tuesday, the authorities, supported by private animal protection initiatives, wanted to save around 400 more animals, said a district spokesman.
The office had become aware of the case through tips from neighbors.
They had complained about odor nuisance.
Initiatives take care of the rodents
The spokesman explained that one assumes “animal hoarding” or “animal collecting addiction”.
The owner believes she has the situation under control and does not see that she is completely overwhelmed.
Initiatives such as the "Emergency Rats Rhine-Ruhr" and the German Animal Welfare Association took care of the rodents, provided them with veterinary medicine and referred them to other foster homes or animal lovers nationwide, it said.
Many rats are pregnant.
It will be checked whether a procedure against the woman will be initiated.
bam/dpa
