Giant rat invasion

Giant rat invasion

27 May 2015

RESIDENTS in Killyleagh have appealed for help dealing with a plaque of giant rats.

The rats, some over eight inches long, have appeared in large numbers in the River Park and Braeside areas leaving residents scared to open the windows and concerned about a local children’s play area.

A number of rats have been killed by local residents and others by cats but there are fears the problem could spiral out of control.

The rats have dug several holes in gardens and burrowed under the soil while others have eaten their way into domestic waste bins. One woman was forced to dismantle an out house which contained her children’s toys after discovering a “carpet of rat faeces” inside. The toys were destroyed.

Rats have been spotted running into drains close to homes and concerns are growing about what might happen if the vermin somehow gain access to two vacant properties.

Senior environmental health officials with Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Housing Executive representatives have been invited to attend a site meeting in the town later today to discuss residents’ concerns with councillor Billy Walker.

River Park and Braeside residents say the scale of the rats problem is such that they are afraid to open their windows, explaining the sight of rats in their back garden or running along garden walls is an “all too familiar scene.”

The residents’ homes are close to the Dibney River and while they have seen the “odd rat” over the years, they have never before witnessed the high number of rodents they have experienced lately.

Ryan Stavely said residents are concerned that rats are running about an area where children play and are eating their way into black wheelie bins looking for food.

“The rats are quite big and we are all very concerned. This issue needs to be addressed quickly before the problem gets worse,” he declared. “Quite clearly there is a plague of rats at this part of the town.”

His concerns are shared by other residents Christine Heaney, Lynsey Hagan and Lenny Whan who have all witnessed the rats running about the rear of their homes in search of food.

“I have lived here for 13 years and we have never had a problem with rats,” said Christine. “This issue surfaced quite recently and given young children play in this area we are very concerned. Holes have been eaten in bins and we have had to block them with old tea towels to keep the rats out. They are horrible, disgusting things.

“We have seen the odd rat before but nothing on the current scale. The rats have dug tunnels in people’s gardens and we are concerned they could end up getting into two vacant properties. If the rats get into the roof space of these properties we will all be affected.”

Lynsey revealed the scale of the problem is such that some residents are afraid to lift their bin lids with their hand and will use something else to do it for fear of a rat being inside.

“The cats are doing a good job catching some of the rats but given that they have burrowed into the ground in people’s gardens and been spotted crawling into storm drains we are very concerned. This issue need to be addressed quickly.’

“Some of us are afraid to go out at night and hearing rats scratching at bins is a regular occurrence. It sends shivers up my spine when I hear it. Children play at the rear of a number of houses and we have to keep a close eye on them,” she added.

Lenny Whan, who used a shovel to kill a rat he discovered in his back garden last week, said he shares the concerns of his neighbours. He has spotted rats in a storm drain near his home and hopes immediate steps will be taken to rid Killyleagh of the vermin impacting on people’s lives.

He added: “We are all very concerned and want help to deal with this problem. We can’t do it on our own.”