A WORRIED resident in south Belfast has threatened legal action after claims that hundreds of rats are running rampant through local streets.
Residents in the Ormeau Road area spoke out last night amid claims parts of the district have been overrun by rodents.
Locals believe the source of the infestation is a derelict building which it is believed is earmarked for demolition.
It has been suggested that packs of rats are roaming the area and have even been seen running across people's feet at nearby bus stops.
It has been claimed that Belfast City Council has not responded to concerns raised this week by members of the public.
It is also claimed that the Department for Infrastructure owns land in the area where large amounts of rats have been seen.
Concerns have been raised that if the building where the rats are believed to originate is knocked down the surviving vermin will be dispersed locally.
Grandmother Patricia Breen, who lives nearby, said food has been left in the area, which has not helped.
"It's awful, it's absolutely awful," she said.
"They are playing tippy-tig with each other there's that many of them."
Ms Breen said there is also a nursery in the area and she has health concerns.
She Belfast City Council did not respond when contacted this week.
"I want them to get rid of them, I'm scared for the kids and myself," he said.
Solicitor Michael Brentnall, of Brentnall Legal, who acts for Ms Breen, has sent pre-action correspondence to Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure.
"It is the applicant’s contention that the infestation needs treated immediately and without any further delay," he said.
"This requires both the Department for Infrastructure and Belfast City Council to have particular regard to their statutory duties and thereafter their requirements of Article 3 and 8 of the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights)."
Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure were both contacted for a response.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: "Staff from our pest control and enforcement teams visited the area (on Thursday). We continue to monitor this area and will be considering our statutory enforcement powers in relation to this matter."
