New North Bay by-law bars people from feeding pigeons; council cites health, property damage concerns from the birds
A new city by-law in North Bay bars people from feeding pigeons. City councillors adopted the proposed by-law after receiving complaints from residents.
These complaints include health concerns and property damage from an increase in the pigeon population.
These increased populations, the city said, are a direct result of feeding. Many locations that have never had pigeons now have increasing populations due to a single feeding site.
Following in the footsteps of other municipalities, the city passed the no-feeding pigeon by-law. It now allows by-law officers to go to pigeon-feeding sites and stop the activity. It also restricts people from feeding the birds or throwing food on the ground for them.
“Once one or a few come, more start to come and then it becomes a part of their routine as well. That's when we start to see the issues,” said Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield.
Horsfield said a resident would be warned, however, if it continues, a fine will be issued. The by-law applies to properties in the city and does not apply to a licensed trapper, an employee of a licensed wildlife or pest-control company, a municipal by-law enforcement officer, a City of North Bay contract by-law enforcement officer, or any provincial offences officer.
It also does not apply to people feeding songbirds; providing all of the following conditions are met:
- seed is placed in a bird feeder that is sufficiently above grade so as to not allow pigeons to eat from it
- the bird feeder is constructed in such a way as to prevent pigeons from roosting and feeding from it
- the bird feeder does not attract pigeons to the device
- any spillage of seed upon the ground is completely removed forthwith so that the spilled seeds do not attract pigeons
“We're not trying to target those who are feeding through bird feeders,” said Horsfield.
“Those that are specifically feeding pigeons and attracting those large quantities of pigeons.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In 1978, there was a by-law in place that dealt with the liability for damages done by raised pigeons that escaped. It stated any damages would be a civil matter.
That by-law was repealed nine years ago as it was deemed not necessary as any damages done by raised pigeons to another property would be a civil matter without a by-law in place.
“Where we’re seeing issues between neighbours or disputes is with feeding pigeons,” said Horsfield. “Even Health Canada has come out with different information about why feeding pigeons should be discouraged.”
A resident caught feeding pigeons would be warned. If it continues, a fine will be issued.
Fines range from $100, city officials said any person obstructing or failing to comply with the by-law will likely face a fine of $200.
A copy of the newly adopted bylaw can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.