Shock for Carron residents as rats emerge from dumped sofa

The furniture reportedly appeared outside a block of flats in Johnston Court, Carron, on December 21 and at some point over the proceeding days the rats have taken up residence.

Residents believe a tenant has dumped the sofa and not even bothered to call for a special uplift to take the eyesore away.

Things became even worse when one neighbour decided to go out and photograph the offending item of furniture.

She said: “I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the rats coming out of it. They must have come over from the site of the old Co-op store and moved into the sofa.”

She added Falkirk Council’s environmental health department had been informed about the infestation.

A council spokesperson: “We would encourage householders to donate any unwanted items of furniture in good condition to charity in the first instance, alternatively use the Council’s bulky collection service.

“Falkirk Council provide a bulky collection service, with the first collection, of up to five items uplifted free of charge. To arrange householders should contact us via our website.

“The recent matter at Johnston Court is currently being looked into by our Environment Enforcement Team.”

According to rat experts there are plenty of things in housing areas which attract the opportunistic rodents, including as plants, ornaments, wood furniture, food leftovers, rubbish and even dog excrement.