Brisbane’s top rodent detective celebrates 10 years on the job

It’s not glamorous work, but there’s mateship and a mission inspiring Brisbane’s little-known rat pack who have kept the city safe from disease for 125 years.

It’s not glamorous work, but there’s mateship and a mission inspiring Brisbane’s rat dogs and their handlers who have been keeping the city safe from rodents since an outbreak of the plague 125 years ago.

Back in the day, the dedicated rat pack went in for the kill. They regularly finished off more than 2000 rats and mice in a single month — as recently as the 1950s.

These days dogs such as Holly, who recently celebrated 10 years on the job, get to go home with their loving handlers.

There is no killing any more and no risky jobs such as hunting under roofs and junk which could harbour snakes.

And in their retirement, typically after a 15-year career, they get to lie on the couch beside their handlers and live the easy life at home.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner this week paid tribute to Holly and her Australian fox terrier colleagues.

Holly the rat dog celebrates her birthday. Picture: Brisbane City Council

“Happy birthday to Holly, one of our hardest-working rodent detection dogs,’’ he said.

“She’s been sniffing out rats in Brisbane for 10 years and she’s not slowing down any time soon.

“Rodents might look harmless, but they can carry serious diseases.

“That’s why we’ve been training ‘rat dogs’ like Holly for 100 years.

“Her nose is second to none and when she’s off the clock, Holly loves nothing more than a cuddle with her handler and some down time with her fellow detection dogs, Rosie and Molly.’’

Rat catchers in Brisbane in 1930s.

Brisbane provided ideal habitat up until the 1960s because of the huge number of backyard dunnies, chook pens, open water troughs, dodgy rubbish collection and stinking wharves lining the banks of the inner-city.

“City council gangs, using dogs and baits, destroyed 6300, plus 400 mice,’’ The Courier-Mail reported in October 1951.

It said the previous month they nabbed 1600 rats.

There were nowhere near as many detected these days, but the city’s rat control team handled about several dozen call-outs a week and visited more than 500 homes and businesses.

The foxies, chosen for their temperament and excellent sense of smell, were trained over about a year to identify rodent scents and reinforce their burrowing skills.

If rats or their presence was detected, property owners were advised about prevention measures such as sealing cracks and proper waste disposal.

BCC rat catchers with their faithful fox terriers. Picture: Brisbane City Council

“Hoarder’’ houses were a common focus for the teams.

Mr Schrinner’s post brought out some old memories from Brisbane residents.

“I had the rat man and his dog come to my place in the ’80s. I remember him saying ‘got any rats miss? Can we have a look?’’’ Sandra Beach posted.

“I was blown away. Great memory of living in Balmoral before it was gentrified.’’

Report suspected rat or mice infestations to council’s contact centre on 3403 8888 or its website.

Originally published as Brisbane’s top rodent detective celebrates 10 years on the job