Rat Attacks Baby

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 148, 25 June 1938, Page 2

Rat Attacks Baby

NEW SOUTH WALES CASE SYDNEY, June 9. The five-weeks-old baby girl of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey, of East street, Fivedock, was attacked by a rat in her cot on Thursday night. The rat bit the baby’s scalp and forehead, making severe lacerations, and scratched it severely about the face and arms with its claws. Mrs. Godfrey had placed tho baby in its cot in a room adjoining her bedroom when sho retired late on Thursday night. About 12.30 a.m. yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey were awakened by the baby's screams, and when Mr. God* frew rushed into tho room and switched on the light a huge rat jumped from the cot and ran out of the room. Mr. Godfrey was then horrified to seo his child covered with blood. He telephoned to a doctor, who gave special treatment to prevent tho wounds becoming septic. Last night the baby was reported to be progressing satisfactorily. Mr. Godfrey said that the attack on the child recalled an incident when they moved into the house, a small brick cottage, a few weeks ago. As he was arranging the furniture a large rat jumped from a manhole and landed on his head. Not long ago there was a complaint about rats infesting houses at Fivedock, and a health inspector visited the places where rats were reported.