A rat trap includes a frame with a tunnel or arch at a first and, the tunnel formed with a slit over the entrance. A spring is mounted on the frame and a locking mechanism can temporarily maintain the spring in tension. A cable is attached to the spring and includes a noose at a distal end. With the noose disposed in the slit, a switch such as a mechanical switch or an electrical switch is arranged to detect the presence of a rat in the tunnel below the slit. The switch operates to release the spring and withdraw the noose from the tunnel at a high rate of speed to capture the animal in the tunnel.