Food Lion's Trash Pile, Leaking Grease Dumpster Draw Rats, Upsetting Laurel Neighbors

LAUREL, MD — Rats have been spied rummaging around spilled trash and enjoying a leaking grease dumpster outside a Food Lion grocery store in Laurel. After neighbors complained, WUSA investigated the rat playground and the store took action.

Within three days of WUSA9's report, the leaking grease container has been replaced with a new rat-proofed receptacle. Overflowing dumpsters were cleaned up and security fencing around the dumpsters has been upgraded, WUSA noted. Also, the store's trash pick-up schedule has been bumped up to twice a week, a Food Lion spokesperson told WUSA.

Laurel officials who checked out the situation said the trash issue was compounded after power outages prompted the store to throw out tens of thousands of dollars of trash. Food Lion said it acted immediately.

"Food Lion responded by disposing contents of the dumpster, cleaned up the area of concern and discussed our plan of action with our neighbor," Food Lion said in a statement. "In addition, we are working closely with city officials and local authorities to rectify the situation while we continue to serve our customers."

Read more at WUSA.