Hong Kong suspends rodent control contractor for keeping captured rats overnight

Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has suspended a rodent control contractor following revelations that workers were keeping captured rats overnight rather than disposing of them on the same day. The contractor received a "notice of blatant default," a severe reprimand for serious service failures.

“

The FEHD believes this is an isolated incident but will strengthen surprise inspections of rodent storage and handling.

An investigation revealed that the contractor not only failed to "humanely" dispose of the rats but also did not properly store the rat cages. Some workers reportedly neglected to transfer the cages to designated disposal locations for convenience. The FEHD stated that while they believe this is an isolated incident, they will enhance surprise inspections of rodent storage and handling practices.

“

The supervisor said they were not raising the captured animals.

Local media reported that captured rodents were being kept on a slope near a playground and were even fed. A supervisor attributed the delays to manpower shortages, with their team reduced from six to four workers. The supervisor denied claims of bonuses for capturing more rats, stating they receive a flat monthly wage. The FEHD plans to mandate increased training for contract firm workers to ensure adherence to procedures.

“

The delayed handling of captured rats was due to a manpower shortage, with his team being cut from six workers to the current size of four.