Residents in Auckland's leafy Titirangi claim neighbourhood is infested with 'rats the size of cats'
Thursday, 13 June 2019
A community has become over-run by 'giant' and brazen rats which have been attracted by food left out for its population of wild chickens.
Rats 'as big as cats' were said to be everywhere in west Auckland's Titirangi Village, where authorities are scrambling to get the infestation under control.
Locals said the rodents were running rampant near shops, cafes, retaining walls, carparks and near Rangiwai Rd.
Residents of Titirangi Village - which is famed for its wild chickens - said the problem had been going on for months.
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One resident said the rats were 'not scared of humans' and were coming out boldly into the open.
Waitakere Ranges Local Board chairman Greg Presland confirmed there was an infestation in the village.
Resident Victoria Jack said that while rats were not completely unusual at the village with its bush setting, the rodent population has 'escalated' lately.
She said it was because people were feeding the famed Titirangi chickens and their leftover feed was being scavenged by rats.
'We have an actual rat problem, it's completely out of control,' Jack said.
Jack, who lived right next to the village and worked from home, said the rats she's seen were huge.
'They're the size of cats. We've always had chickens in the village but sadly it's increased the rat population because someone is feeding the chickens too much and are leaving food for the rats as well.
'The balance is not there anymore, it is undermining the natural biodiversity of the area.'
Suzanne Henwood, a resident of Rangiwai Rd, said she's seen rats running up the road, the first time in 11 years.
She had to get rats out of her roof recently, an issue she have never faced before.
Rob Wadmore captured a shaky footage of rats near a carpark in the village earlier this month and posted it on social media.
'I saw an estimate of about six to 10 rats running up the bank, they didn't seem scared of human beings .. they were 30 metres from the shops,' he said.
'It seems quite serious. They are disease carriers.'
Local business owner Thomas Yadegary said he was worried about the effect of the infestation in the food industry in the village.
He owned Village Kebab, one of the longest running businesses in the area.
'I've never heard this happen before. I've never seen the rats but if it keeps increasing then its going to be a huge problem for everyone.'
Local board chairman Presland said they were aware of concerns raised by residents about the chickens and roosters in the Titirangi town centre.
'We are also aware that a recent rat infestation problem has emerged,' Presland said.
He has met with Auckland Council's environmental services department and confirmed the deep interest the local community has in dealing with this problem, he said.
'Solutions to this issue are currently being investigated.'
Jack said council needs to move fast to exterminate all the rats, or risk the infestation getting out of hand.
'Someone has to get rid of them and exterminate them all. But first, we need to stop feeding the chickens. It has to happen now or this is going to blow up.
'They've caused a lot of damage and spreading diseases … we don't live in a rural environment for these number of rats to populate here.'
Resident Wally Thomas said a woman in the village fed the chickens regularly.
He added: 'Clearly that attracts the rats. If getting rid of the rats means getting rid of the chickens, then I'm OK with that.'