A Cape Cod woman is accused of feeding rodents in her backyard and now the entire neighborhood is creeped out.
Yarmouth health officials say the rats have a source of food in this yard, and the woman who lives there is putting it out.
"We've seen quite a few burrow around almost all four sides of her house, burrow holes from the rats. Her neighbors have seen increased rat activity on their properties," said Yarmouth Director of Health Bruce Murphy.
"And that has been the whole issue. It's been a constant food and water supply that she just, she just feels lonely and she calls them her pets," said Murphy.
The health department told Boston 25 News reporter Robert Goulston they've seen the problem firsthand while in her backyard. They say she's not just feeding the rats, she's also leaving out water.
The woman, who did not want to appear on camera, says she loves all animals like her cat Rascal.
The town says her relative owns the home and he too has tried to get her to stop leaving the bird seed and water out, but after a dozen verbal warnings, a cease and desist order, the town is taking another step.
"Now, we've taken out a criminal complaint to ask for fines and more aggressive extermination," said Murphy.
The fines could be as high as $500 a day for not complying.
The case goes to court in January.