

Paul Johnston and Rachel D'Amore, CP24.com





Despite the promise of being impenetrable by hungry four-legged Toronto residents, it seems as if some critters have found a way to breach the city’s new green bins.

Photographs sent to CP24 Wednesday afternoon show one of the city’s new bins with what appear to be holes and scratch marks along the top of the receptacle.

The resident, who lives in the Pharmacy and St. Clair avenues area and did not want to be identified, said the damage was done over the period of a few days.

She said she also saw a squirrel emerge from the container.

The new bins began to roll out in Scarborough last month.

Approved by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee last year, the new bins are twice the size of those currently in use in other parts of the city. They also feature a locking lid designed to keep animals – particularly raccoons – out.

Residents in Etobicoke are slated to receive the new bins beginning this fall, with North York to follow in January 2017.

Toronto’s mayor took to Twitter Wednesday night to respond to the pictures that have been making the rounds via social media.

“Well, at least they didn't figure out how to turn the handle. #opposablethumbs,” John Tory wrote.

“This is apparently rats or squirrels, not raccoons. Not sure that makes me feel better.”

Last spring, the city issued a video showing one of the new bins being 'tested out' by a pair of raccoons.

In the video, one animal is seen trying to claw its way into the bin through the lid. The second tries its claws at the design. Neither is able to open the latched lid.

The city is currently looking into the matter.