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Shenley residents smell a rat but won't pay catchers
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| 'Brazen': Rats are attracted to Shenley's Cage Pond to eat bread left for ducks |
A Shenley parish councillor has this week criticised Hertsmere Borough Council for charging
residents for pest control services.
Councillor Chris Rook said homeowners are refusing to pay the borough's £55 charge for rat catching, with rodents being left free to roam around the village.
In April, a pest controller was employed by Shenley Parish Council for the second consecutive year to tackle the rat population in the Shenley Cage Pond, in London Road.
Mr Rook, who has paid privately for rats to be removed from his own garden in Ribston Close, said: "The rat problem in Shenley is becoming a bigger issue.
"They are consistent pests and many of the residents in the area are failing to report the problems around their properties because of the money they will have to pay.
"The local authority needs to deal with this environmental health risk as we pay council tax and should therefore receive
services like this without charge.
"This service needs to be free, otherwise the problem is just going to escalate."
Martin Guidera, landlord of the Queen Adelaide pub, next to the pond, said it was well-known that packs of rodents gather in the area.
He said: "It is horrible to come out and see rats in the pond.
"They are brazen and appear in
daylight. The pest control people have visited again this year, so hopefully the situation should improve."
The issue was discussed at a parish council meeting last month, and council clerk John Marks said: "The Cage Pond is a good breeding ground for rats.
"One of the main problems is that people throw bread into the pond to feed the ducks, which attracts the rats.
"Five years ago we put in a duck feeding machine which allowed the public to buy reasonably-priced, proper duck feed. We put the machine in twice but, unfortunately, both times vandals smashed it up so we can't afford to do that again."
A borough council spokeswoman said: "A local authority has no legal responsibility to
provide services to deal with rodent problems, so has the right to charge a fee for the service.
"Under the law, dealing with these types of problems is the responsibility of the landowner."
8:12am Friday 9th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: vicar on 11:16am Fri 9 May 08
"Under the law, dealing with these types of problems is the responsibility of the landowner."
OK. Who owns the land where the pond sits.
If they ar aware of a hazard or nuisance on their property and fail to control it, then it spreads to my property surely I can claim against them for any loss or cost which arises as a re3sult of their inaction.
"Under the law, dealing with these types of problems is the responsibility of the landowner."
OK. Who owns the land where the pond sits.
If they ar aware of a hazard or nuisance on their property and fail to control it, then it spreads to my property surely I can claim against them for any loss or cost which arises as a re3sult of their inaction.
Posted by: amanda on 2:28pm Fri 9 May 08
whilst I appreciate what vicar is saying.. isn't is obviously that any rat originates from somewhere that is not necessary private land. There are lots of ready to use products available at supermarkets and shops
whilst I appreciate what vicar is saying.. isn't is obviously that any rat originates from somewhere that is not necessary private land. There are lots of ready to use products available at supermarkets and shops
Posted by: N, Borehamwood on 8:01am Sun 11 May 08
This service should be free. It's provided by the local authority and we all pay enough council tax. I don't blame the householders. After all rats wander about. If they wander onto social housing land, those tenants get it free, so again another opportunity to fleece the tax payer. Let the whole of Hertsmere be plagued with rats and then environmental health would have to do something. Householders may own the land but they dont own the rats.
This service should be free. It's provided by the local authority and we all pay enough council tax. I don't blame the householders. After all rats wander about. If they wander onto social housing land, those tenants get it free, so again another opportunity to fleece the tax payer. Let the whole of Hertsmere be plagued with rats and then environmental health would have to do something. Householders may own the land but they dont own the rats.
Posted by: Elle, borehamwood on 11:29am Tue 13 May 08
It is not that good an idea to place rat bait or similar just anywhere unless you are a qualified pest control officer with full liability insurance, especially where there are likely to be children.
While I would not like to see anyone made ill through the use of bait, we live in a litigious society and I personally would rather let the professionals take the responsibilty.
The Landowner should take responsibility for arrangements etc., or alternatively HBC could send a pest control officer and then charge the Landowner. At least that way people will be able to enjoy the area.
Many years ago HBC used to leave bait in and around the brooks, drains and other places which kept the rat population low. I understand this was stopped as a result of the risk of litigation.
It is not that good an idea to place rat bait or similar just anywhere unless you are a qualified pest control officer with full liability insurance, especially where there are likely to be children.
While I would not like to see anyone made ill through the use of bait, we live in a litigious society and I personally would rather let the professionals take the responsibilty.
The Landowner should take responsibility for arrangements etc., or alternatively HBC could send a pest control officer and then charge the Landowner. At least that way people will be able to enjoy the area.
Many years ago HBC used to leave bait in and around the brooks, drains and other places which kept the rat population low. I understand this was stopped as a result of the risk of litigation.
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