A man has claimed that his city is filled with “chihuahua-sized rats” as the council “refuses” to collect rubbish on a weekly basis.
King Of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-Ite, usually hits the headlines for his tatted-out look, having been dubbed “Britain’s most tattooed man”.
The 45-year-old, who lives in Birmingham, is furious with the local government as his neighbourhood is reportedly overrun with vermin.
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Earlier this year, bin workers in the city went on strike after the council made a decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer roles.
The union claimed around 170 people could face losing up to £8,000 a year because of the decision – with the dispute still ongoing.
King of Ink Land also claims the situation is escalating – with rats now entering people’s homes.
“It’s absolutely disgusting and disgraceful,” the entrepreneur told Need To Know.
“The pavements are often overflowing with rubbish to the point where you have to walk on the road.
“We have giant rats that regularly jump out of these bins, and they roam around in the daytime.
“I remember a few months ago, there were about seven alive trapped in one bin, that scurried out as soon as the bags were moved.
“They have burrowed and nested in our garden shrubs and have begun mating – there are tonnes of them.
“It makes me feel so gross; we shouldn’t be living like this.”
King Of Ink Land’s building claims to have privately contracted a pest control company, costing at least £450, to stop the rodents.
He said: “Sadly, they [the council] are failing us residents.
“A number of my neighbours have had rats and mice invade their property; I hear screams frequently because of it.
“I had one unnoticed living in my place for a few months until I heard something and saw bits of wood on the carpet.
“It had been gnawing at my bedroom door.
“When I spotted it, I got it to climb into a cardboard box and then flung it out the window.
“I have also seen foxes dragging some of the rubbish bags into the bus lane.
“While there is still rubbish mounting up, there will always be an attraction for wildlife no matter what pest control does.”
King Of Ink Land believes the council should be footing the bill for private costs associated with the issue.
And while the strike is ongoing, he says action has been taken over the weekend to clear some rubbish.
But says the issue will repeat itself.
He added: “My recycling has been left to pile up – but at least the other rubbish is gone.
“There is already fly tipping happening.
“And I know the issue will mount again in no time.
“It’s a never-ending cycle.”
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “The council continues to treat for rats for a contributory fee.
“We accept there are citizens who will no longer have that free service, but we have done our best to mitigate against the impacts.
“The fee is far less than the cost to deliver the service and is less than charged by some neighbouring local authorities.
“People can also purchase and treat themselves, as supplies are readily available in shops and online.
“Our contingency collection for the strike is still in effect; residents are receiving a waste collection once per week.
“Recycling collections remain suspended.
“Currently, the contingency is being deployed successfully.
“As a result, we don’t have a waste collection backlog.”
