DeLand Family Dollar investigated for rat infestation after shoppers complaints

DeLAND, Fla. – State inspectors are investigating a DeLand Family Dollar after complaints from shoppers claiming it's infested with rats.

"It looked like a cat, a wool rat, it was big.", said Tamia Robinson, who went to buy bread when she claims she saw a large rat run past her.

"I left everything there and left out the store and I called the health department," she said.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services sent out an inspector to investigate the store, located at 915 S Spring Garden Ave.

In 2013, the store was ordered to stop selling food three different times, and failed two food safety inspections.

Citations observed include urine odor and rodent droppings in several areas under store racks.

"That's no way to run a business though, you're gonna run a business you have to run it the right way, run it so everything is up to par and up to code the way it's supposed to be," said Buddy Hamilton.

Customers couldn't get inside the store today, as signs on the door read "Registers Down."

Managers, however, were letting pest control workers inside.

"My kids come up here and they can get a disease or anything from these rats it's unsanitary," said Robinson.

The State will have to wait on the inspector's final report before making a determination on whether or not the store has to stop selling food.

That report should be available within the next few days.

The store was allowed to resume selling food again after passing their last inspection in November.

They were in compliance and the food was observed as in good condition.


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