A teenager has allegedly been bitten by a rat – only six weeks after a council investigation into a possible infestation in the Girdle Toll area came up empty.
Connor Gibson, 15, was helping his little cousin with a school project when it's claimed he was bitten by the rodent on Sourlie Terrace – a short walk from his home on Benslie Row.
Outraged mum Nicola Cummings said he needed a tetanus shot and suffered from sore joints and headaches after the incident.
The family has lived in Girdle Toll for eight years and claims to have never experienced any rodent issues until now.
"Connor is really good with his younger cousins, who are aged 5 and 6, and was helping with the mini beastie project they have for school when he was bitten.
"The rat pierced the skin and Connor was chalk white. He was bitten on Sunday, May 16 and I couldn't get him in for the tetanus shot until Wednesday, May 19, and he has been given antibiotics.
"The rat problem in the area is terrible. It's a really big problem.
"It's horrible Connor was bitten but he's a teenager, his immune system is stronger and he is brave. If the rat had bitten a smaller or younger child, the situation could've been 10 times worse."
Nicola reckons the rat issue is a result of delayed bin collections.
"My mum lives near the Spar in Girdle and the bins haven't been emptied for ages," she added.
"I was really panicking. I can't even think about how many diseases these rats roaming about are carrying.
"I hope this is a warning for other parents when their children are playing in the area.
"Connor may be the first one to have been bitten but he may not be the last. God forbid a young child is bitten."
North Ayrshire Council first investigated reports of a rat problem on March 31 but couldn't locate any burrows and then again in the week beginning April 5 there was nothing found.
A spokesperson said: "We have not been contacted by anyone regarding Benslie Avenue or by someone living in Benslie Avenue about a rat issue.
"Additionally, no further reports have been received about rats at Lanfine Way since our previous visit in March."
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