Rodent droppings found on food at Crafton Heights Family Dollar

Editor’s Note: The alert issued April 18 was lifted April 29.

The Family Dollar in Crafton Heights on Chartiers Avenue is still infested with rodents, according to an Allegheny County Health Department alert posted Thursday.

Complaints about rodent droppings and pests date back to December 2018, according to health department records.

An employee who answered the phone at the Crafton Heights Family Dollar on Friday told a Trib reporter that no one was available to address the health department’s report.

A similar alert was issued March 6 but lifted March 18.

The situation has improved slightly since then, according to the most recent inspection report. But there was still evidence of rodents eating food and defecating on store shelves.

According to the most recent inspection, rodents had chewed a large hole into the side of at least one bag of snacks.

Rodent droppings and rodent urine was present on candy and chip packages, and at least three bags of cat and dog food were found with large holes, according to the report. Fresh droppings were also found on and under pet food shelves, chip shelves, candy shelves and paper towel shelves.

Two freshly dead mice were found in traps under paper towel and pet food shelves, the report said.

A large gap was found in the rear wall, which is located against a hill area with fallen trees, unkempt grass, mud, leaves and litter, according to the report.