River Oaks' little rat problem

So you think life in River Oaks is easy? Ah, you're wrong — residents of the tony neighborhood may have piles of money and fancy cars, but they also have a rat problem, courtesy of an abandoned home off Willowick Road.

Neighbors say the house at 11 Pinehill Lane, which has been empty for years, is a breeding ground for rats. They've called in pest-control experts and have even secured a court order to have the home demolished, but the homeowner — listed as Susan Lee of Palm Beach, Fla. — is objecting, which means an appeals court will have to make a decision or Lee will have to change her mind before the house can be torn down. Meanwhile, River Oaks residents and city officials are frustrated: "Very frustrated," neighbor Richard Finger told KHOU. "It's frustrating," HPD Assistant Chief Brian Lumpkin agreed.

At least there's one person who's happy about the situation: Hunter Puryear of Quality Environments Pest Control, who keeps having to come take care of the rats. Before it's all over, he may be able to afford a River Oaks manse of his own.