Rat Attack

Daniel Street residents say they are plagued with scores of the vicious, dirty rodents.

Anne Usher of Daniel Street claims she has seen a huge number of rats darting about her road in the last month - a situation that is getting worse.

She told the News: "It's getting so bad around here. I have actually seen rats of all sizes trotting along the pavements in broad daylight. And they're fearless. About three weeks ago, I watched one run away from a cat like it was playing a game."

Fifty-five-year old Anne added: "It comes to something when residents catch the rats themselves. I've got two in a plastic bag caught in the garden opposite me.

"We need something done immediately, but the Vale of Glamorgan Council won't blanket bait the area because they say they need permission to enter property.

"I know they can't go traipsing all over gardens, but I can't see anyone objecting if it means getting rid of these little menaces."

According to worried homeowners, the plague of rats is not just contained to gardens. Anne said: "A piece of land at the bottom of Daniel Street, known as Batt's Field, is rife with them. I take the dog there and kids use it all the time. The other day, Rio came in stinking of rat pee. And the council won't do anything about that either."

Freda Bennett, a senior citizen who lives in Heol-y-Nant off Daniel Street said: "It seems as though each person in this area has to call the council and invite them on to their property to get baited."

A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: "As far as Batt's Field is concerned, the council will not leave rat poison in public open spaces if there is a chance of children or pets being hurt.

"The council has already responded to a number of complaints from Daniel Street residents by carrying out baiting and we are currently following up representations on a similar issue from other residents."