ARCHIVED news story
Plea to stop danger rat poisoning at Ditchingham
Released on 26 June 2006
Whoever is doing this - and we don't know who it is - must stop now. We have the rats under control
Chris Tubby, Environment Protection Manager
South Norfolk Council officers have called on a mystery poisoner to stop the widespread use of rat poison at Ditchingham roundabout.
They fear it might be harmful to children, pets and wildlife - including the wild chickens that have made the roundabout well known locally.
Last year, district council officers met Ditchingham Parish Council who wanted action to control and reduce the burgeoning rat population at Ditchingham roundabout.The rat population was growing fatter and bigger by eating the large amounts of food put down for the chickens.
Since then, South Norfolk Council officers have been successfully managing the rats, using carefully controlled baiting by its professional team. The local community have supported this action.
Now officers have discovered that relatively large amounts of a rat poison they have not been using has been spread widely around the site. This is also being eaten by the chickens, and could kill them. If touched by local children it could cause sickness, and it could kill pets.
South Norfolk Council's Environment Protection Manager Chris Tubby said:
"Whoever is doing this - and we don't know who it is - must stop now. We have the rats under control.
"This irresponsible behaviour is dangerous to local children and domestic animals. It will also kill the chickens, and although we don't know who this person is, we fear that is their intention.
"We have respected the wishes of local people and made it clear from the start that our rat baiting programme is designed to kill rats not chickens. And it is working.
"The proof of our success at the roundabout is the fall in the rat population, without harming the chickens in any way. We want to keep it that way.
"The person involved in spreading this rat poison is also acting illegally and could find themselves prosecuted as well as liable for damages that could result."
The Council will be warning members of the public using the roundabout not to touch any powder or granulated material that they see in the area.
Chris Tubby added:
"Anyone with information about who this might be can contact my team on 01508 533708."
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Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Communications Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | communicationsteam@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533611 or 01508 533983 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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