GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County woman says a rat destroyed the family SUV and threatened her children's safety.
"It was a big safety hazard," Angie Beck told Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland. Beck's Dodge Durango SUV sustained $30,000 worth of damage.
She says the first hint came with the straps holding her kids' car seats.
"His car seat was just basically holding on by threads," she said. "The body shop said the wires to the air bag could have let out at any time, so I was basically riding around in a death trap."
Technician Jacob Alves of Sugar Hill Auto Collision eventually got the rat out of the car. Three days later they trapped and killed it.
Our investigation focused on allegations biodegradable wire insulation is a feed source for rodents.
"It had chewed the main engine harness, battery cables," said shop owner Kevin Moreland.
Strickland's investigation this week focused on allegations wiring inside late model cars is to blame for attracting rodents because it's insulated with a material made from soybeans.
Moreland says damage to the entire interior was so extensive the car was a total loss.
"Been doing this since I was 15 and I've never seen a rat do that much damage to a vehicle," said Moreland.