Blackburn bird lovers are feeding rising number of rats

8:44am Friday 14th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

KIND-HEARTED residents in central Blackburn have been urged to stop throwing bread, rice, chappatis and other cereal foods into their yards and alleys for the birds because of a growing infestation of vermin.

Bastwell ward councillors Parwaiz Aktar, Shaukat Hussain and Iftikhar Hussain want householders to use proper bird feeders rather than just put unused food on the ground for their feathered friends.

Coun Iftikhar Hussain said: “We have a real problem with fly-tipping of rubbish in the area which encourages vermin.

“A new problem that is making it worse is people throwing food for the birds — especially bread, cereals, chappatis and rice — into their yards, back alleys and gardens which is attracting rats.

“This seems to be a particular problem with our Asian community. Traditionally they don’t want to waste food but is causing a real problem with rats and other vermin which is a public health issue.”

Coun Aktar said: “We know people are doing it for the best motives but it could have really damaging consequences.

“They want to avoid waste and feed the birds and other animals but all they are doing is encouraging rats. If they want to feed the birds the best thing is if they use proper bird feeders and keep the bread, chappatis, etc, off the ground.”

Coun Shaukat Hussain said: “We appeal to local residents to be careful about throwing food out for the birds.

“It is cultural tradition in our Asian community not to waste food and to look after wildlife but this is helping the rats not the birds.

“If they put food out, could people please keep an eye on it and remove it if they don’t eat it before the rats come and do so.”

The three councillors also asked people to be vigilant in looking out for fly-tippers and report any rubbish dumping to Blackburn with Darwen Council officials.

Coun Hussain said: “We are also having real problems with people coming and dumping rubbish in people’s back yards and alleys.

“This is happening a lot with building waste and large items such as old mattresses and sofas.”

Coun Aktar said: “If anyone sees this happening they should contact the council so those responsible can be prosecuted and fined.”

Comments (5)

9:26am Fri 14 Sep 12

Keith Myath says...

How about throwing the "kind-hearted residents" to the rats? (Half-asleep - I almost wrote kind-hearted rodents.)
How about throwing the "kind-hearted residents" to the rats? (Half-asleep - I almost wrote kind-hearted rodents.) Keith Myath

9:55am Fri 14 Sep 12

nil bye mouth says...

The rats arn`t the only vermin in bastwell,it aint tradition its just plain lazyness and what about the soiled nappys that are all over bastwell i suppose the birds eat them too.
The rats arn`t the only vermin in bastwell,it aint tradition its just plain lazyness and what about the soiled nappys that are all over bastwell i suppose the birds eat them too. nil bye mouth

9:55am Fri 14 Sep 12

Rumpole says...

How else are they going to entice their stock for their takeaways if they don't put waste food out?
How else are they going to entice their stock for their takeaways if they don't put waste food out? Rumpole

3:47pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Major Tom says...

i thought this was 1 of them grooming headlines at first.
i thought this was 1 of them grooming headlines at first. Major Tom

4:52pm Fri 14 Sep 12

grumpyoldlady says...

The first man I saw in Corporation Park was throwing a large amount of chappatis over the fence into the duck pond. I pointed towards the sign asking people not to feed the birds and explained to him that it was encouraging rats. His reply was "Yes, I have seen lots of rats". The next man I spoke to about feeding the ducks had thrown a big plastic bag full of chappatis or nan bread over the railings and could not comprehend that he was not to feed them nor that ducks do not eat plastic bags. The word STUPID springs to mind.
The first man I saw in Corporation Park was throwing a large amount of chappatis over the fence into the duck pond. I pointed towards the sign asking people not to feed the birds and explained to him that it was encouraging rats. His reply was "Yes, I have seen lots of rats". The next man I spoke to about feeding the ducks had thrown a big plastic bag full of chappatis or nan bread over the railings and could not comprehend that he was not to feed them nor that ducks do not eat plastic bags. The word STUPID springs to mind. grumpyoldlady

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