Residents of a street in Toronto's Leaside neighborhood are expressing frustration over a rat infestation they attribute to a neighbor who continues to feed wildlife in her backyard. The situation has escalated to the point where some residents have hired exterminators to combat the problem.

Jennifer King, a resident near the homeowner accused of feeding the animals, reported that the rat issue became severe earlier this year. She spent $3,000 on extermination services after discovering rats had invaded her walls and attic. "It's disgusting," King said. "You could hear them in the walls."

City Councilor Rachel Chernos Lin, who represents the area, noted that the woman has faced charges for illegally feeding wildlife and is under investigation for property standards violations due to garbage accumulation in her yard. In 2023, the city amended its animal bylaw to prohibit feeding backyard wildlife, except for songbirds. Since then, the city has received thousands of complaints about violations, with 3,787 reported in 2023 and 3,897 in 2024.

City officials explained that feeding wildlife can attract rodents, leading to public health concerns. "When food is left out accidentally or intentionally for wildlife, it often attracts unintended animals such as rodents, which can lead to public health and safety concerns," they stated.

King, who has lived on Randolph Road for 25 years, said she had never encountered rodent issues until this year. She began noticing rat tracks in the snow in January, and by spring, rats were roaming her backyard, some as large as possums. "At night in the bedroom, I could hear them scratching in the ceiling," she recalled.

Despite her requests for the neighbor to stop feeding the wildlife, the practice continued. King reported that after hiring an exterminator, the rats were eliminated from her home but remained outside. "(There are) hundreds in the backyard," she said.

Janet Bolton, a friend and neighbor, witnessed the problem firsthand. "One day a few months ago, I was sitting in King's kitchen having coffee and looking out the window when I saw 30 rats in about 15 minutes," she said.

The rat problem appears to be concentrated in a few blocks of Randolph Road, but Bolton expressed concern for King's well-being. "She's lost weight; I worry about her emotionally," Bolton said.

A letter signed by a dozen residents was sent to the neighbor, urging her to reconsider her feeding practices. "When wild animals begin to associate homes with food, it can lead to increased aggression, property damage, and even health risks," the letter stated. However, King reported that the letter had no effect.

Chernos Lin indicated that if the city finds the neighbor in violation of property standards, she could be ordered to clean her yard. Violating the wildlife feeding bylaw could result in fines of up to $100,000. The city is currently investigating the property standards complaint, and the bylaw charge is set to go to court in November.

King speculated that construction at a nearby vacant lot may have disturbed rats, drawing them to her street. Regardless of the cause, she is frustrated with the situation. "At one point, I was seriously thinking about moving," she said.

As the colder weather sets in, the rats seem to be staying in their outdoor dens, but King is concerned about what will happen when temperatures rise again in the spring. Chernos Lin emphasized the importance of communication among neighbors to prevent small disputes from escalating. She encouraged residents to report issues to 311 and to reach out to their city councilor if necessary. In some cases, the city may provide mediation to help resolve neighborhood conflicts.