Tenants Of Downtown Apartment Show Bat Infested Living Conditions

Bat droppings on the floor, live bats in rooms, tenants of a downtown apartment complex said living conditions are horrible.

At least one tenant was bitten by one of those bats. He showed KARK live evidence of what he said is a real safety issue.

The Albert Pike, a historical building in downtown Little Rock that tenants said has some unwelcome visitors.

"At night time you have to keep the lights on," said Dematrice Anderson. "You have to learn how to sleep with the lights on."

That's because Anderson said bats have moved in and he has the evidence.

"Bats, bat feces, bats dropping down everywhere," said Anderson.

He learned to live with the critters, until two days ago, he couldn't ignore them anymore. While he was sleeping one sank its teeth into his side.

"I didn't know what to think," Anderson said, "I just rushed to the hospital."

He's now being administered rabies vaccinations and according to Anderson, he's not the only one.

He said another tenant was also bitten, but is too afraid to speak-out about the infestation.

"They're afraid they won't have anywhere to stay," Anderson said. "They're really afraid, all of them."

KARK went with Anderson into a vacant unit and saw with our own eyes a room with live bats. Anderson said he has told the building's management about the problem.

"He said he's working on it," Anderson said. "He ain't doing nothing to that room! I hope they straighten it up, not just for my good, for everyone else in there."

Management for the building unavailable for comment Sunday.

Anderson is facing an eviction from the building but says he just wants the problem fixed for future tenants.

He added even though the apartment's are for low income individuals, that doesn't mean they should have to put up with those conditions.

The Arkansas Department of Health said there have been bats who tested positive for rabies inside Pulaski County.

They also said if you see a bat during the daytime, it's more than likely sick.

For more information on rabies: Arkansas Department of Health