Date Rats Killed Time
1861 25 1 min 28
1862 60 2 min 42 * Record
1862 1000 in less than 100 mins
The 1835 the Cruelty to Animals Act outlawed baiting of large animals such as bears & bulls but failed to mention rats and so rat baiting became popular. Many pubs built rat pits & rat catchers made a good living by supplying rats. The last public competition in the UK took place in Leicester in 1912. The owner was prosecuted & had to give a promise to the court that he would not do it again.
Rat baiting is illegal, as is fox hunting.