Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Vermin on the loose
Neighbours blame bins for creating rat ‘haven’
RESIDENTS have voiced their disgust about overflowing bins that have attracted “massive” rats to their neighbourhood.
Seabraes Lane in the West End has been described as a “haven” for vermin, with rats seen just yards away from people’s homes.
Several students who live in the block said the issue had been ongoing for several months.
Items including sanitary items, rotten food and pizza boxes are discarded on the ground beside eight wheelie bins.
The mess is just yards away from eateries and bars along Perth Road.
Signs have been erected by tenants at the block requesting that the communal close door is closed at all times.
One of the sign states that there are “massive rats outside the building” and urges people to report the matter to Dundee City Council.
Rachel Stubbs, 21, a business student, said she had reported the issue to the local authority.
She said: “As far as I’m aware, the rubbish is collected once every four weeks.
“I sent a complaint in about the matter because it is vile.
“People usually walk down the footpath towards Tesco Riverside and I think they are scared they are going to see more vermin.
“We’ve placed some signs urging people to recycle as much as possible and close the doors to prevent rats coming into the building.”
Another resident, who declined to be named, said a rat roughly the length of a “school ruler” was basking in the sun just yards away from her window.
She said: “We saw the rat at the weekend.
“My flatmate took a picture of it and someone else saw a dead rat lying in one of the parking bays beside the bins.
“The area is a haven for vermin at the moment.”
Law student Hannah Paterson, 20, said the ongoing rubbish situation had put her off renewing her lease.
She said: “There are about five students in each flat and there simply aren’t enough bins to cope with the demand – we need Eurobins.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We are looking into this.” Ourvoice PAGE 16