Residents have said they were very concerned after finding rat poison dumped in a hedge.
Belfast City Council cleansing team attended Station Road in the Sydenham area of East Belfast on Tuesday morning after being notified by a local councillor following concern from residents.
The "pile of poison" had been found in a hedge beside the footpath with residents believing that it could have posed a risk to animals living in the area.
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Alliance councillor Michelle Kelly said: "A local resident notified me about their concerns that rat poison had been dumped in a hedge on Station Road and I immediatley contacted the council cleansing team and asked that they check out the substance and remove it.
"It is very worrying that rat poison has been left out in the open like that, especially in an area where many people have pets."
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “Our cleansing staff responded to reports of suspected rat poison on a residential street in East Belfast early this morning.
"We can confirm the area has been cleaned and the substance safely removed. We would strongly advise against residents leaving rat poison in the street as it poses a serious risk to public health and can be harmful to dogs and cats.
"For urgent pest control advice, residents can contact the council’s pest control service by emailing pestcontrol@belfastcity.gov.uk or calling 028 9027 0431."
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