A Zambian man was hospitalised after his wife sank her teeth into his genitals for refusing to kill a rat in her room.

Local media outlet, Zambian Observer reported that Musonda, 52, from the Zambian town of Kitwe, was allegedly attacked by his 40-year-old wife Mukupa following a row about the rodent.

The wife, who had reportedly just returned home back from drinking with her friends found the rat in her room. She claimed that the animal was pestering her and ordered Musonda to get rid of it.

However, a scuffle ensued when he refused, with Mukupa managing to sink her teeth into his genitals, causing a ‘major tear’.

Bothwell Namuswa, Deputy Police Commissioner for Copperbelt Province, told the Zambian Observer the pair are essentially separated and live under the same roof in separate rooms.

Mr Musonda was rushed to a Kitwe Teaching Hospital for urgent medical treatment following the incident.