A woman from the Rumney area of Cardiff is calling for action after her two-year-old granddaughter was bitten by a rat in their garden. Katrina Griffiths claims she has been dealing with rat issues for more than six years, a problem she believes stems from overgrowth in the land behind her house, owned by Cardiff Council. Katrina reported that the fences around the land were brought down six years ago, allowing weed and brambles to spread and attract rats. Despite raising concerns with the council, Katrina says little has been done about the situation.
Cardiff Council has responded, acknowledging Katrina’s concerns and stating plans are in place to remove the overgrowth in the coming weeks. Katrina’s granddaughter, Emily, was bitten by a rat while playing in the garden, mistaking it for a rabbit and attempting to touch it. The rat bit her finger before being shaken off and later found dead. The family took Emily to the hospital, and she is said to be recovering well from the incident.
Katrina expressed frustration at the council’s lack of action, emphasising that it is their responsibility to maintain the land. The council spokesman noted resource and budget constraints but assured plans to address the overgrowth and monitor rat activity. While rats are a common issue in urban environments, efforts are being made to address the specific situation in Rumney. The council aims to assist in alleviating the problem and improving the situation for residents affected by rat infestations.