A persistent rat infestation at Burgess is disgusting anglers and park-goers, with packs of rodents roaming about day and night, writes Christopher Carey.
As the News has reported, Burgess Park is facing an escalating rat problem, which has been blamed on visitors leaving food out for birds that attracts vermin.
Footage taken from the park last Friday shows a group of rats by the lakeside, in full view of the public – and they don’t seem to be too scared of humans.
Many park-goers are aware of the issue, and some find the situation very distressing.
Local angler, Graham, said: ‘‘This year the park has been absolutely infested, buy crestor.
“Health and safety wise it’s a joke, people don’t realise the risks.’’
Park-goer Jane said: ‘’It’s gross, I saw them climbing out of the water, they’re everywhere.’’
Exposure to rat urine can lead to Weil’s disease, a debilitating condition that can result in death. At least four people have died in the UK over the past ten years after contracting the disease.
Some anglers have taken to laying their own rat traps to curb the problem, and claim the council is not doing enough to solve it.
And the rats seem to be getting increasingly used to being around humans. One runner took to Twitter to share a video of a rat curled up in the middle of his running route.
https://twitter.com/robholley/status/1048879145067921408
The council says it is avoiding poison to protect other wildlife, and insists budget cuts are not responsible for the problem.
Cllr Victoria Mills, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Brexit, said: “We have recently increased the number of checks in this area and are currently working to reduce the spaces in which rats make their homes.
”We try to avoid putting down poison in open areas, like parks and around ponds, because it can be harmful to other innocent species.
”The location of the problem is also a concern, as there is a risk that poison could get into the water and do further damage.
”This is why we are keeping a close eye on the situation and taking preventative measures, by removing the rats’ homes and trying to limit their food sources.”
The council says its pest control budget for the 2018-19 financial year is £1,308,190, an increase of nearly £83,000 from four years ago.