Malaga is one of the most popular Spanish cities with Brits flocking in their masses to enjoy the white sandy beaches, warm climate and culture.
However, areas of the city are being plagued by a rodent infestation that has sparked several complaints.
The four legged rodents have horrifyingly been running between children’s feet as they play in the park and now residents in the Churriana, Haza de Cuevas (Carranque) and Parque de Huelin areas of Malaga city are complaining about an increase in the number of rats and other pests.
Speaking on behalf of the mothers and grandmothers who take their children to the Parque de Huelin, María del Carmen Aguilar, said, as reported by SUR: “We are afraid because the rats run between our feet, as happened last week to one of the children (in the Parque de Huelin).”
It is believed the increase in rats is due to the surge in temperatures. Throughout this summer, most of Europe has been grappling with extreme heatwaves, with many areas experiencing temperatures in the 40sC.
Héctor Tejero, the Spanish Health Ministry’s head of health and climate change, previously said: “The heat is killing 3,000 people a year and it’s going to get worse. But while exposure to extreme heat is going to rise, we can also step up our adaptation to it.
“Although it’s hotter in Spain than it was 20 years ago, fewer people are dying because homes are better adapted, because we have air conditioning, and because people are getting into a culture of dealing with the heat.”
Malaga city councillor Penélope Gómez pointed out rodents are an issue affecting the whole of Europe.
Gómez told a council meeting that to tackle the problem the environment department will triple the budget it allocates annually to rodent eradication, increasing it from 142,000 euros to 400,000 euros (£119,187 to £335,740).
Francisco Girón, representing the residents’ association of Haza de Cuevas, in Carranque, also pointed out an increase in cockroaches and concerns about the mosquitoes which transmit the West Nile virus in Malaga.
The West Nile virus has already caused the deaths of seven people in Andalusia.
Councillor Begoña Medina said the increase in rodents and insects is a big concern and is urging Gómez to provide more information on the mosquito that transmits the West Nile virus.