Squirrels are making my life hell says disabled man

Published on Thursday 14 August 2003 01:00

A DISABLED man has told how a group of grey squirrels are terrorising his neighbourhood and making him a prisoner in his own home.

Ivor Purshall, from West Bromwich, said he had been under attack for more than two years and demanded the council take action against them.

The 59-year-old said he was forced to keep all his windows and doors closed despite the record-breaking temperatures because of their antics.

Mr Purshall said: "The squirrels are jumping on the roof and on the balcony. They have tried to get in through the window.

"At the side of my living room there is a hole in some of the brickwork and neighbours told me there were squirrels going in and out of it.

"I’m frightened of them. I just can’t stand them. I can’t open my windows [or] doors or sit out on my balcony, so I’m sweltering in this heat. They are all over the estate. If I go for a walk, they are in the street."

Mr Purshall contacted local councillor, Bob Evans, who said he would look into getting a tree - which the squirrels use as a bridge to the property in Hawkswood Crescent - pruned.

Councillor Evans said: "If necessary, we could try trapping [the squirrels] and then get on with pruning the tree."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said grey squirrels were attracted to areas providing access to food and shelter.