Those living around a house where 55 animals were seized by the RSPCA say their lives have been left a misery as a result of their gardens and homes being infested by rats.
One family with a baby are having to leave all windows constantly closed and can’t go in their garden because there are so many rodents.
The resident opened the back door to The Voice to show how many rats were in their yard.
They’d also got a plumber out for what they thought was a leak in the roof of their downstairs main bathroom, only to be told the wet stain was actually rat urine from animals climbing between their floorboards via gaps in the wall.
The family, who wish to remain anonymous, also said they’d regularly see rats running in the overhead light while in the shower or bath.
They also remarked they, including the baby, had a lot of bites and were worried it was from fleas.
They said they’d reported it to their landlord on a number of occasions.
One local resident has been providing and managing rat traps for several neighbours in the street.
“The day of the Spalding Flower Parade it was almost an attraction as you could see rats in the window eating the paper they put up in front of the duvet cover they’ve had propping the window open for a long time,” another resident said. “People were stopping to take pictures of it.
“A few years ago another resident saw the state of the front and offered the people that live there some spare curtains but they were just sworn at.
“We had no idea how many animals were in there.
“The RSPCA came in three big white vans to take the animals away.
“I counted 17 rabbits being put in one van.
“None of them were in the garden as their garden is terrible and so overgrown.
“The RSPCA had tried to get in the previous Sunday but couldn’t get in.
“When they came last week they couldn’t again but they borrowed my ladder to get in via the back door.”
Another nearby resident said he’d first reported the house a couple of years ago.
“I walk past it almost every day and it’s been like that for at least five years, could be more than ten, with the windows propped open 24/7,” they said. “I’d always wondered what was in it.”
“I reported it to the police and council a couple of years ago.
“The council though said there was nothing they could do.
“At the end of last year you saw rats running around in the window so I’d reported it again.”
The Voice asked one of the residents of the house if they wished to comment but they declined.
Lincolnshire Police joined the RSPCA as they attended the property last Wednesday.
Among the 55 animals recovered are dogs, several cats, birds, rabbits and guinea pigs.
The Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Team said: “We have executed a section 23 Animal Welfare Act warrant today in the South Holland, Lincs area due to concerns around the welfare of animals within a property.
“If you are struggling to manage your pets please reach out and seek help from the relevant agencies.
“This involved multiple agencies including the RSPCA (England & Wales), South Holland District Council local vets and local officers from South Holland Police.
“As a result 55 animals have been surrendered into the care of the RSPCA.
“Ongoing support is being offered to the occupants.”
A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “We attended an address in the Spalding area on May 31 along with officers from Lincolnshire Police and South Holland District Council.
“As confirmed by the police, a number of animals were removed from the property and are now in RSPCA care.
“We always look into any complaints made to us about animal welfare and try to work with all the parties and provide support so any issues can be resolved.
“For legal reasons, we’re unable to discuss complaints about specific individuals or comment further while enquiries continue.”
The Voice asked South Holland District Council for a comment but had not received one at the time of going to press.
