Residents of a street in Toronto's Leaside neighbourhood say they're fighting a rat infestation brought on by a neighbour who refuses to stop feeding wildlife in her backyard.

Jennifer King, who lives near the homeowner being blamed for feeding the rats, said the problem became so bad earlier this year that she had to hire an exterminator — at a cost of $3,000 —because the rats had invaded the walls and attic of her house.

"It's disgusting," she said. "You could hear them in the walls."

Coun. Rachel Chernos Lin, who represents the homeowners on Randolph Road, said a woman on the street was charged several months ago with illegally feeding wildlife. She's also facing a property standards investigation because of a build-up of garbage in her yard.

Until recently, it was legal to feed an

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