If you find rat droppings on your garage floor, better get your vehicles hoses and wires checked...
Had a dog that chewed through an electric cord that was plugged in...he had a burn on his lip and if I moved any appliance with the cord dangling, he ran and hid from it..
Wonder if some kind of rat deterrent might be made from chew-able electric cords...if nothing else, you might feel better knowing they are getting a jolt.