Woman dubbed the ‘Pied Piper of Southampton’ feeds a plague of 100 giant RATS
Dad Ali Khan, 34, says his three children are too scared to play in their own garden because of the revolting rat infestation
A TERRIFIED family claim they are 'trapped' inside their home because a woman dubbed the 'Pied Piper of Southampton' insists on feeding a plague of 100 giants rats.
Dad Ali Khan, 34, says his three children have been left too scared to play in their own garden since they started to see at least 10 rodents every day.
The vicious vermin have even attacked the family's pet dog, a male Staffordshire pit bull terrier called Amo.
Mr Khan has now taken urgent action by filming his neighbour feeing the vicious vermin - in a desperate attempt to force his local council to act.
Environmental health officers have been to inspect the property and Southampton City Council has described the case as "complex".
The frustrated family man is refusing to pay for pest control as he claims the rats are coming from a neighbouring property.
He said the infestation is "beyond a joke", adding: "The rats are always running around and going through the bins.
"My children won't go out now, and we can't put the dog's food outside in case a rat urinates in it and causes disease.
"On an average day there'll be ten outside. You can hear them rustling around at night.
"We can't open the back door in the summer in case they come in, and the shed has to be shut.
"The last thing I want is rats in the house. It's beyond a joke."
Now Mr Khan, who has lived in the detached house in Southampton, Hants, for two years, says the problem is so bad they are considering moving.
He says he has complained to the council environmental health officers "untold amounts" and recorded videos of the rats scurrying around in his garden.
He wants them to investigate where the rodents are coming from and address the problem.
Mr Khan said: "I've contacted the council untold amounts.
"I've been in ongoing contact for nearly two years with environmental health officers, who told me that I need to pay for pest control to come out.
"I don't want to pay because it's not my property.
"The problem isn't in my house – if they came and put poison in my garden it wouldn't solve the problem."
He added: "We wanted to live here because it's a nice quiet area, but we're seriously considering moving away.
"I always wanted a detached house because I've lived in a terraced house all my life and the garden is great for the kids.
"They should be allowed to do whatever they want but they don't want to come outside."
A council spokesman said: "We can resolve most rat infestation problems in a straightforward way.
"However, some cases are more complex and take longer to resolve, as with this case.
"City residents who need assistance with pests such as rodents, insects and birds should contact the Pest Control Service."
The family's ward councillor added: "I do have a lot of sympathy for the residents there and I extend my apologies to them.
"The council is sympathetic and is looking into it."
Khan’s neighbour, who he filmed leaving food in her back yard, declined to comment when approached by the Southern Daily Echo.