Slough Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a resident under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act after her overgrown garden became home to rats and other pests.
Ms Annis Dodds, of Carrington Road, Slough was served a notice on May 30 2008, to cut back all overgrown vegetation in her garden and to hire a pest contractor to treat and eliminate the rats within 21 days.
However, the notice was ignored and on January 23, 2009, Ms Dodds was fined £500 at Maidenhead Magistrates Court, along with £1,000 to be awarded to the council.
When the council cleared the garden, staff were astonished to find an old car rusting underneath, along with carpets and numerous household items.
Sarah Hines-Randall, senior technical enforcement officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “We’re really pleased with the outcome of the prosecution and it should hopefully send out a firm message to others that they need to keep their gardens clean.
“We were astonished at the amount of vegetation, but even more so to find an old car rusting away in the undergrowth. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to maintain the areas we live in, as rats are certainly not a welcome neighbour.”
Commissioner for Slough health and wellbeing, Cllr Chrissy Small, added: “Well done to the enforcement team for their hard work and successful prosecution.
“Everyone should know that not keeping their gardens maintained can create a home for rats and other pests, and this will not be tolerated.”
Slough Borough Council
