Rats are cool, and wonderful too.
I had some wild ones that used to come to me squrriel feeder until a huge blue feral cat (named Blue) culled the herd.
As for rats spreading plagues - good - as there too many fucking idiots on this planet anyway who don't deserve to breathe the same air I do.
All Gods creatures great and small are always welcomed to this roost, it's people I want to stay the fuck away..............
Sorry about your little guy being consumed.