WEST FIFERS have been asked not to feed the birds at Townhill Loch as the leftover scraps are attracting rats.

Fife Council have been tackling an infestation at the popular site "for a number of months" and laying traps to try to get rid of the vermin.

A member of the public, who asked not to be named, said there had been complaints about an increase in the number of rats seen around the loch.

They added: "At one point, there was anything up to half-a-dozen feeding around, and on, the public seats just beyond the wooden bridge at the west end.

"This was put down originally to the ever-increasing supply of food left by a huge increase in visitors using the loch paths as an exercise area over lockdown.

"People filling the bird-feeders around the loch don't help, though, by sometimes also spreading out food along flat surfaces like benches.

"The council were very quick to act but there were then complaints about a 'rat man' putting down traps and the presence of rat poison. You can't please everyone!"

Ronnie Cowan, chair of Townhill Community Council, said: "In lockdown, there's definitely been a big increase in the number of visitors to the loch and the park.

"More visitors and more picnics, and more scraps being left and food being left for the birds will attract rats.

"I'd plead with people not to feed the birds just now.

"It's during the winter they struggle for food which is maybe why they're not eating what's been left out and the rats are getting it."

He continued: "They had a white rat up there too, apparently it was huge. It's probably been a pet at some point but in the wild it would have turned feral.

"Fife Council are really on the ball though. They come in for criticism but we really get a fantastic service from the cleansing guys, the safer communities team and the parks department.

"They've had a man up here regularly setting traps for the rats.

"I had to go out with him and it's like a big long spoon and when he finds the holes the rats are using, he puts the poison deep inside and then fills the holes, so dogs shouldn't be anywhere near it.

"He also told me any animal that takes it by mistake, vitamin K is the remedy!"

Council technical officer Graeme Anderson told the Press: "Our pest control team have been dealing with a vermin problem at Townhill Loch for a number of months and measures have been taken to help alleviate the problem.

"We also ask members of the public to please refrain from feeding birds in the area because leftovers are attracting vermin."

Mr Cowan added: "Another serious issue we're having to deal with is people feeding the horses.

"One of the owners had to pay a vet bill of £2,000 after someone fed carrots to their horse.

"You never know what diets they're on for their health and I'm told if they get bloated they could die.

"I'd ask people to just not feed them."