Editor’s note: This story contains graphic images that could be disturbing to some readers.
A disturbing discovery in the bread aisle of a North Vancouver Walmart is raising questions after photos of dead rodents were shared online.
Sam George, an elder from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, said he came across the baby rodents about two weeks ago at the Capilano Mall Walmart Supercentre. The only grocery options near where he lives are Save On Foods, which he said is expensive, or the more affordable Walmart. But he told Daily Hive the rodent problem there is getting out of hand.
“I’m a big man. I’m six feet and 240. And that’s the one thing that freaks me out — rodents,” he said. “It made me feel sick.”
Sam George/Submitted
He snapped a picture of the rodents on the floor and flagged down some workers in the next aisle. The workers told him they’d clean the mess, and put a sign cautioning of a wet floor. George said he swung by the bread aisle after finishing his shopping, and saw it hadn’t been cleaned yet.
“Do better. Clean the store,” he said. “It’s not just us complaining. It’s a problem.”
On Thursday, Daily Hive asked Walmart Canada about the discovery and if any measures would be taken to address community health concerns, but the company did not respond.
George’s family members said they have also had trouble with rodents at the store. His brother recently brought home a loaf of bread only to discover a dead rodent inside. George said they’ve submitted a complaint to Vancouver Coastal Health about both rodent incidents.
Daily Hive has reached out to Vancouver Coastal Health for a comment on this matter and will update this piece if one is provided.
George doesn’t like that the only affordable grocery option near him comes with the potential for run-ins with pests.
“Out front, they have a little garden… and I counted eight rats running through that garden,” he said. “They’ve built a tunnel system under the garden. That’s where they live — and they run into Walmart.”