NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Rats are a big problem in New York City.
That’s why the city wants you to report them if you see them. But one homeowner in Maspeth said she regrets doing just that.
Esther D’Alia, 91, has lived in her house in Maspeth for over 65 years.
After noticing rats burrowing in her yard last summer, she called 311 to report them.
To her surprise, she received two $300 summonses. But D’Alia said it was the city’s problem.
She believes the rats are coming from holes in the concrete near her home—holes created by growing roots from this city tree.
“I appealed it, and they declined the appeal, so I feel why can’t I get that 600 back? I did pay two different exterminators I didn’t just let things go by,” she said.
Councilmember Robert Holden agreed. He said homeowners like D’Alia should not be penalized for reporting sightings, especially if the rats come from holes on public land.
“The city, to add insult to injury, is ticketing the homeowner or the person who complained, but it’s not even their land. This is so ridiculous,” Holden said.
Holden has written to the health commissioner and the rat czar, asking them to reevaluate how the city handles rat complaints.
He said fining residents, even if the rats are on their property, will only deter people from reporting them.
“They’re not trying to educate. They’re trying to punish,” Holden said. “People will say, why should I complain? Then they’ll come after me.”
D’Alia is grateful for Holden’s support. Last month, the city fixed the sidewalk near her home at his office’s request.
But she’s still out $1,600 between the summonses and exterminator fees.
“I want my $600 back and I want the city to pay more attention to the people when they say it’s not their fault. It’s the tree. The tree was here before I came. I’ve been here since 1958,” she said.
D’Alia’s appeal decision said the summonses were valid because her mitigation measures were implemented after they were issued.
In a statement, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said:
When it comes to fighting rats, New Yorkers are our best partner-in-arms. And we work collaboratively with community members to fix conditions that lead to increased rats. That includes working with property owners through our Rat Academy, recruiting everyday residents to join the Rat Pack or issuing orders to correct conditions before they lead to violations.
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene spokesperson
New Yorkers deserve to live in rat-free neighborhoods and our goal is develop partnerships with residents. We’ll review the letter and happily discuss with the Councilmember ways to work together.
