I AM seeing significant rise in sightings of wild animals such as rats, squirrels, foxes and corvids due to the idiotic feeding of these animals by members of the public.

The two most notable areas being Taylor Park and the Ravenhead Greenspace, near Elm Road, Thatto Heath.

These are feral animals which rely on nature’s pantry to feed them, allowing them to live naturally – not to have people throw copious amounts of food on the floor which can be picked up by other domestic animals such as dogs and cats.

Over at Ravenhead Greenspace, there are certain individuals hand-feeding foxes with raw chicken, offal and bones which have been picked up by dogs out for a walk resulting in them having to be rushed to the vets for emergency treatment.

These people have been challenged about it but just ignore our requests to stop this inappropriate action.

This also constitutes fly-tipping but when we have contacted the council about this they just fob you off.

The perpetrators don’t live in these areas so won’t be affected by rats in their garden or by flocks of noisy corvids at early hours in the morning.

These people are not only fly-tipping but are also reducing the territory of the foxes and making them vulnerable because they have become so tame.

This has to stop as it is deterring local dog walkers from using the open space for their recreation.

In Taylor Park, I have witnessed 30-plus rats feeding from these feeding points that have been created by these irresponsible people. This is no environment to take children. This has to stop now

These people need educating by the council and if they persist feeding these pests, then action needs to be taken against them

It is not illegal to feed wild animals but it is to fly-tip.

Mr C Hannon, via email