My Jack Russell has been killing rats!

elsien

What about the neighbour's gardens harbouring rats? When my mother had a rat family cavorting on her lawn it was because the rat colony was next door and the run went through her garden.
Most councils do free call outs for rats so it might be worth them coming out for a look and to see where the rats are coming from.

lostinrates

Weil's disease can be carried by countryside rats too. Its a horrid thing indeed, and and ratting dogs should indeed be well monitored and dips in health not just 'kept an eye on' but seen by a vet. Just in case One of the big problems it rat control is resistance to poison and the rise of 'the super rat'. The more terriers step up to the mark the better chance we have of better control of vermin.

Re poison, dogs and cats behave quite differently over such kills IME. I don't suggest one leaves them to play with rats as chew toys at all but remove them. The dog might be a little protective of them initially though, before getting the idea of laying them out proudly for you.

Elsien, councils tend to charge now for rats, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be involved. Even if just to find out what poison regime they are on. The mismatching of poison, or failure to cycle poison types correctly increases resistance.

bouncydog1

Many years ago a friend's dog got bitten by a rat and was taken straight to the vets. Unfortunately it did not survive. Our own springer was also bitten under the jaw by a rat and within minutes looked as if she had a large egg hanging from her jaw. We got her straight to the vet and she did survive luckily.

It is very important that if your dog is ratting (which as others have said is what she is bred for) you keep a careful check on her to monitor for bites, scratches etc. and get her straight to the vet if you find any.

She sounds a feisty little thing, which many a stable yard would be pleased to have around.

zaax

You need to sort out the rat problem quickly. Environmental heath dept. of you local authority should help

Babbawah

A Parsons Terrier attacking rats ?

Whatever next . . . :-)