Neighbors claim Family Dollar distribution center caused rat problems

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — This week, West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon announced that the Family Dollar distribution center will reopen after being shut down by a rat infestation. But not everyone is happy.

The West Memphis facility was closed in early 2022 after an inspector with the Food and Drug Administration found more than 1,000 dead rodents at the facility over a five-day span.

Family Dollar to reopen West Memphis distribution center

Some West Memphis residents told WREG that rats left the warehouse and went straight to their neighborhood. Roger Whitfield, a local property owner, says his rat problem began after the Family Dollar Distribution Center cleaned up inside.

“I live half a mile from Family Dollar. When they started getting rid of them rats over there, they crossed the woods into our area,” Whitfield said. “It’s in my house and a few other houses. We’ve lost wiring, we’ve lost pipes.”

A neighbor who wished to remain anonymous shared a similar frustration.

Family Dollar to pay $41M after rat infestation at West Memphis warehouse

“Last year we actually had to call an exterminator because the rats were getting so bad it wasn’t uncommon to see three or four rats in your house at night,” the neighbor said. “It was coming from something. We’d have like maybe one or two, and I assumed it’s a field here so you’re going to get rats, but once they started clearing everything out it got real bad.”

Thursday, McClendon was ecstatic about the warehouse reopening.

“August 1, let’s go!” McClendon said. “It will have a great impact on the community. I can’t wait to be there to greet the new workers.”

WREG has reached back out to McClendon but hasn’t heard back. WREG has also reached out to Dollar Tree Incorporated, but the company has not responded.

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