Residents of the Chona Madera, de la Libertad and Alfredo Kraus squares have called on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council for immediate intervention regarding the proliferation of rodents, which they consider a risk to public health.
A group of residents from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has filed a formal complaint with the City Council regarding the presence of rats in three squares in the city. The complaint, submitted this Friday, identifies the Chona Madera, de la Libertad and Alfredo Kraus squares as hotspots for the problem.
José Francisco Santana, spokesperson for the affected residents, conveyed in a statement the "deep concern" of the residents. According to his testimony, the proliferation of rodents is "frequently observable" and poses "a risk to public health" that harms "the quality of life" of those who use these spaces.
The residents are asking the city council to act "with the utmost diligence" and take measures to eradicate the infestation. Among the actions requested are a complete rat extermination, a thorough cleaning of the squares, and regular maintenance to prevent the situation from recurring.
Additionally, they demand that municipal services inspect the causes that may be contributing to the presence of the rodents. "Public spaces must be safe, clean, and suitable for everyone's enjoyment," concludes the statement.
The request comes in the height of summer, when the use of these squares intensifies. The residents hope their demand will be addressed urgently, as it is a matter that "directly affects the safety, health, and well-being" of the community.
The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council has not yet commented on the complaint. However, municipal sources consulted state that the situation will be assessed and necessary measures will be studied.
The presence of rats in public spaces is not a new problem in the city. In recent years, other areas have suffered similar infestations, which has led the council to strengthen pest control programs. Nevertheless, the residents believe that the actions taken have been insufficient.
"We cannot continue like this. It is a public health issue," insists Santana. The affected residents have announced that if they do not receive a response, they will escalate the complaint to other authorities, such as the Health Department of the Government of the Canary Islands.
In the meantime, the residents of the three squares remain vigilant. "Every time we go out, we see rats. It is unpleasant and dangerous," says a resident who prefers to remain anonymous. The situation, she claims, has worsened in recent weeks.
The case has sparked debate on social media, where numerous users have shared their experiences with infestations in other areas of the city. Some criticize the lack of maintenance of public spaces, while others call for more investment in cleaning and pest control.
For now, the ball is in the court of the City Council, which must decide whether to heed the residents' request and act swiftly to resolve a problem that, according to the affected, has been unresolved for too long.
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