Dead rats are being left to rot - or dumped by nervous householders - because council pest control contractors are refusing to take them away.

The news emerged at an Ashford council cabinet meeting, when councillors discussed the future of pest control services.

Cllr John Link, who represents St Michael’s ward in Tenterden, said residents had complained about the problem, but that contractor Mitie hadn’t responded to their pleas.

He said: “They tell me that Mitie don’t collect dead rats. They don’t mind killing them, but they don’t take them away.

“I don’t know if you have ever smelt a dead rat, but they are horrible when they die. If you get them stuck behind a panel, the smell is horrendous. It gets worse for all the time it’s there, so living with it is not very nice.

“These residents have children as well so they are not happy. Obviously that must be something that is not in the council contract.”

At present, it is not part of the council's contract with Mitie. A council spokesman said it was the responsibility of residents to dispose of rats and offered advice for doing so.

In the statement the spokesman said: “Residents can collect the rat using gloves or a plastic bag. It should then be wrapped in newspaper or a bin liner and placed in a grey refuse bin.

“We would offer the same advice to residents who find any other dead rat on their property. Although MITIE are the council’s approved contractors, residents are free to look around to find their preferred supplier and any additional services at a rate that suits them.”

Cllr Clair Bell, Ashford Borough Council’s portfolio holder responsible for the contract said: “The problem with rats outside is that nobody wants to take responsibility. That’s why we have the contractor. Mitie deal with the rats, I don’t think it is unreasonable for them to dispose of the rats.”

She added she will be looking into whether the requirement for Mitie to dispose of dead rats and other pests can be written into the contract with the council.

A spokesman for Mitie said: “I can confirm that contractually we’re not obliged to collect dead rats, but if our technicians come across a dead rat whilst carrying out inspections or service work then yes they do collect them.

“In this case, it could be that the dead rats are a result of post-treatment and our technicians haven’t yet visited the site, in which case it’s the client’s responsibility to notify us by requesting a call out.”

Have you been affected by uncollected dead rats? If so please contact our newsroom on 01233 895808 or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk