Pensioner horrified by rats 'as big as cats'

By North Devon Journal | Posted: May 26, 2015

A pensioner was horrified when he saw a bin being raided by rats which he judged to be "as big as cats".

Don Proctor, 80, was sitting in his car waiting to take photos of a cruise ship about to dock in Torquay, Devon.

He saw something moving out of the corner of his eye and was appalled to see at least four rats scurrying in and out the bins.

He snapped a few frames while the rats raided the containers for food before scurrying off.

Semi-retired photographer Don said: "I looked round to see this ruddy great rat coming up and going into the bin for food.

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Squirrel causes panic in public swimming pool

A squirrel sparked panic by diving into a busy public swimming pool in Torquay.

The rodent caused swimmers to flee the pool and gave lifeguards the slip before biting a member of the public on the finger.

No-one knows how the rodent got into the Riviera Centre in the Devon town, but after causing squealing and panic, it paddled around in circles while swimmers scattered.

When one man waded over to rescue the frightened creature and grabbed its tail, it bit him on the finger.

Jacquie Lovett, swimming instructor at the Waves Leisure Pool told The Western Morning News: "It was doing a few strokes in the deep end, going under the water and then coming up for air.

"It looked like a drowned rat. Then it ran out through a door we had opened."

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/squirrel_causes_panic_in_torquay_swimming_pool

Giant tarantula the size of man’s hand ‘on the loose in Torquay’

People of Torquay, don’t be alarmed but a giant tarantula the size of a man’s hand has reportedly escaped and is on the loose in your town.

Landlady Sonia McGrath, who rents out a flat in Ellacombe, spotted the ‘brown and hairy’ spider in the garden of her property.

‘I thought it was a mouse at first but then I saw these big hairy legs,’ she told the Herald Express.

‘I dropped everything and went straight home.’

Mrs McGrath retuned with reinforcements in the shape of her husband Kevin, who was equipped with a fishing net and broom handle.

Despite their best efforts, the creepy crawly escaped through a panel in the fence and has been missing ever since.

Luckily for those living in Torquay, the tarantula is not thought to be dangerous.

‘They (Paignton Zoo) told me that it is harmless but won’t survive if it gets too cold so I desperately want to find it,’ Mrs McGrath added.

‘I can’t see myself picking it up but want to make sure it is safe.’

http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/25/giant-tarantula-the-size-of-mans-hand-on-the-loose-in-torquay-3937079/