I write on behalf of the residents seeking to highlight a serious health hazard existing in the area of Sun Valley, Lower Santa Cruz, as well as residents on the Saddle Road in the immediate vicinity.There exists a supermarket in the area whose refuse has become a haven and breeding ground for rats the size of large cats.The garbage bin for the supermarket is located on the grounds and because they do not dispose of old vegetables etc, in a proper manner, the rats have a ready-made food supply.
At any given time you can see an indigent man rummaging through this bin for old potatoes etc. Also adjacent to that is an empty lot of land and a large drain at the back of the premises which serves as a breeding ground for the colonies of rats.The matter has been reported to the San Juan Health Authority many times, but to no avail, and we fear that they will only act when there are deaths of humans due to leptospirosis.
The owner of the premises only is interested in containing the spread of the rodents and not eradication. He refuses to call in a proper exterminator company. At nights the rats can be seen roaming around the area and if and when some of these are poisoned the stench becomes unbearable. Just imagine that these premises sell food items to the unsuspecting public.
We had no choice but to go public since our cries are being ignored by the Health Authorities as well as the owner of the establishment and we are entitled to the enjoyment of our premises as taxpaying citizens.
S Maraj,
Lower Santa Cruz