Rat causing damage

I want to get the fact out to the public regarding damage rats are doing to vehicles (in Kelowna).

My car had the fire mat ripped off the underside of the hood and they chewed wires and damaged a fabric insulating wrap around the battery compartment. The parts damaged cost approximately $1,500 plus installation.

ICBC has no coverage or interest in the problem. I pay for complete auto insurance on my vehicles. Even though ICBC is profitable, it doesn't have any responsibility to repair rat damage that's not my fault.

I am looking for prevention methods before the damage is beyond my repair budget.

The City of Kelowna also takes no responsibility for the rat damage. I was told the rat problem is an act of nature. But it's not really nature when the city is ranked as the fourth “rattiest” city in Canada.

The city needs to start a rat extermination program. We hired a professional to provide recommendations for our rental home, which I feel is highly unfair. Not only is this a heath issue, it's a property damage situation.

I lived in North Vancouver, surrounded by parks, rivers and streams, plus an international port and in 30 years, I never saw a rat or had property damage.

Michael Batt, Kelowna