Don't feed the animals, Smiths Falls residents told

A new bylaw in Smiths Falls, Ont.,is banning the act of scattering crumbs and seeds for birds and other wildlifein public parks and on private property.

The motion passed town council unanimously this week, and violating the new rulecomes witha potential $150 fine.

Coun. Jay Brennan advocated for the motion after receiving complaints from a residentwho'd been cleaning upafter his neighbour kept feeding seagulls and squirrels.

It's not like we're combing the streets for people giving a squirrel a peanut.- Jay Brennan

"There was [excrement] on his car and everything," Brennan said.

Brennan said the bylaw will be applied with discretion to make sure people can enjoy their own property.

"It's a complaint-driven bylaw. It's not like we're combing the streets for people giving a squirrel a peanut," he said. "It's not draconianor anything like that in my view."

'It's nature, live with it'

The town has also been trying to discourage people from feeding swans that had been introduced to control the geese population.

Chris Graylives near one of the parks where the town's swans gather. She said there are bigger issues than bird droppings likecitizens not picking up after their dogs.

"It's a waste of time and energy and resources," she said.

"They feed in the trees. They'll eat the berries and stuff, and thenthey fly over and they crap all over everything. What are you going to do about that? It's nature, live with it."

Can turnbirds 'aggressive'

Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankowsaid an excess of seagull droppings can pose health risks, especially for children and pets.

He said the bylaw is meant to keep wildlife from becoming dependent on people, and encouraged residents to "let the animals look after themselves."

Don't feed the wildlife in Smiths Falls

6 years ago

Duration 0:42

Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow explains why the town counci passed a bylaw to ban the scattering of crumbs and seeds for birds and other wildlife. Offenders can be fined $150 for doing so in public parks or on private property.

"You want the birds to be able to survive on their own. If you're feeding geese, you're feeding swans and you're feeding seagulls and you're feeding pigeons, you're going to attract them to come back to a certain place," Pankow said.

"They can get aggressive especially geese."

Pankow said the new rule includesan exemption for bird feeders for songbirds, althoughthey must contain bird feed only and be properly maintained to not attract other animals.

The City of Ottawa already prohibits feeding wildlife in public parks, with a potential fine of$260including the victim surcharge.

The city says it doesn't have a specific bylaw for feeding on private property, although maintenance and property standards rules may apply.