We had a rat infestation in our formal gardens in NYC when a grocery wholesaler moved into the neighborhood. They were huge and everywhere. Had no fear of people. They would beg.
It took months of poison and a fine from the city at the wholesaler to clean up the problem. His trucks were the source.
None tested positive for rabies so at least that wasn't a problem.

One night on the subway I happened to be i the last car of the train. The doors opened at Queens Blvd and there were piles of trash on the station overrun with rats. We had to stamp our feet and throw things to keep them off the train. It was like a horror movie - hundreds of them. I have no fear of the beasties but I didn't want to be overrun by them.
M