The operator of a Kitsilano grocery store has been ordered to provide rat-proof food-storage bins and improve pest-control measures after rats were spotted during closing hours crawling over loose food and vegetables inside the store.
Vancouver city inspectors and environmental health officers from Vancouver Coastal Health went to Kitsilano Natural Foods store, at 2696 West Broadway, Tuesday, after reviewing a video and a number of photographs taken by a pedestrian passing the store late Saturday evening.
Vancouver resident Matt Johnson said his attention was attracted by a movement in the window of the store, which had closed for the night. When he looked through the glass he was startled to see four rats clambering over food and snacking on various grocery items stored on racks.
“They were eating bread — one of them had got into a bag — and veggies. It was pretty bad,” he said.
See the video here.
Source: The Vancouver Sun, Oct. 5, 2011. Story: Gerry Bellett. Photograph: Arlen Redkop
Kitsilano Natural Foods, 2696 West Broadway, 604-738-0326.
