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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Jonathan Geddes

Blind 93-year-old terrorised by rats running riot in her kitchen

The family of a blind pensioner are demanding action after her kitchen was overrun with rats.

Housebound Rachel Gray has been left terrified by the vermin, with her daughter Lilian fearing for her mum's health.

The worrying problem started last year at the 93-year-old's home in the Halfway area of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire Live reports.

Lilian says that despite council attempts to get rid of the rodents, they keep coming back.

Now she insists "enough is enough" and her mum must be moved.

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She explained: "It's a horrible thought that they're in the kitchen all the time, and it's been awful.

"This started last year and we thought the problem had been eradicated eventually. South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) put down bait a few times and it seemed the rats had been getting in a few ways.

"At the time the pest control people weren't sure exactly how they had managed it. We thought we had sorted it, but now they're back - we've seen they've chewed on the cellar door..

"We actually first realised when we saw a loaf in the bread bin that had been partially eaten - there had been crumbs around as well, and I think mum thought I'd been messy when I was round at first.

"The biggest problem is that it means my mum isn't going into the kitchen at the moment.

"My mum's legally blind and has health issues, so there's a concern that if she catches something or gets bitten it could be fatal."

Since the most recent sightings, bait was placed around the kitchen. However, Lilian fears the problem will simply keep reoccurring.

She added: "The council have said they'll look at replacing the cellar door, but we don't even know if that's where they are getting in.

"It might be via another property here. I've applied for my mum to be moved, she doesn't deserve to keep having this happen.

It's believed other homes on the street have been looked at as well.

Pauline Elliott, SLC's acting head of fleet and environmental services, said: "We instructed a pest contractor to attend this address, following a new complaint received on January 17.

"Treatment is ongoing, and baits have been left in and around the property.

"The divisional environmental health officer has spoken to Ms Gray and assured her of continuing swift attention to the problem.

"With that in mind, the contractor returned to the house on Monday to carry out further checks."

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