Throwing Bread out for the birds

Started by KateS2 • 13 replies • 1656 views

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KateS2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 41

Posted:

We have a lady that throws bags of bread out every morning and nite on top of her shrubs to feed the birds. Every day twice a day. She is not only feeding birds, skunks and other animals are living under her shrubs and it the bread is so big the birds are now dropping it in the other peoples yards, driveways, sidewalks and tired of picking it up every day. The president supposedly told her about this but continues anyway.

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Kate,

Why would this be an HOA issue as opposed to a wildlife control issue or city/village/township/county ordinance issue?

KateS2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 41

Posted:

We could go thru the board of health in town also. Tried to talk to her first but doesn't see the harm in it. Also, this is an 82 unit park, with many homeowners have 6 to 7 feeders in their yard also, which the Canadian geese are having a food fest.

KateS2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 41

Posted:

PitA
Posts: 1,416

Posted:

I would imagine that most counties / states would have some similar law:

As per: Horry County Code of Ordinances

“It has been determined that the presence of large numbers of waterfowl cause a
public nuisance by contaminating lakes and ponds and causing erosion”

Chapter 4 – ANIMALS
Article III. – Migratory Wild Fowl
Sec. 4-33 – Prohibition of feeding
a) No person shall feed, cause to be fed or provide food for domestic or migratory waterfowl in residential areas of Horry County.
b) No person shall create or foster any condition, or allow any condition to exist or continue, which results in a congregation or congestion of domestic or migratory waterfowl in residential areas of Horry County.

Sec. 4-35 – Enforcement
The Horry County Police Department is authorized and directed to enforce this chapter.

PitA
Posts: 1,416

Posted:

from Connecticut:

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/game/NoFeedWF.pdf

I image "...or cause to be fed..." would be in the actual statute(s).

PitA
Posts: 1,416

Posted:

D'OH

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Another angle might be your HOA's nuisance clause that most if not all CC&Rs (declaration, covenants) have. It often says something like nothing I do on my property can annoy others who deserve peaceful enjoyment of their premises. She should be ordered by the Board in writing to cease and desist or shell be called to a haring and fined (whatever you fine schedule says) for violation of your nuisance clause.

KateS2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 41

Posted:

Thank you for your replies. I will discuss this with the Park President on our nuisance clause and take it up with the Board of Health also in town.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Actually old bread isn't that good for the birds and wildlife. Yes, they eat it but it can cause health issues. Kind of like why no one throws rice at weddings anymore. Our city now bans feeding birds/wildlife at our park because of the health consequences. They instead put up coin fed feeders up. It's NOT to raise money either but to cover the cost and protect the wildlife by having them eat the good stuff. The change has made a huge difference in the droppings levels in the park and wildlife is doing well.

Former HOA President

CyrstalB (Maryland)
Posts: 457

Posted:

You may get help with the Department of Natural Resources for your state or locality as that can't be good for the wildlife as a whole.

KateS2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 41

Posted:

I have notified the Board of Health on this issue, because it is not an HOA issue. They are working on this but cannot understand why the President did not nip this in the bud, when she called him and asked if he said NO BREAD OR LITTLE BREAD? He said he told her a little would be fine. So I guess he just made it a park issue, am I wrong???

BobD4 (up north)
Posts: 1,002

Posted:

KateS2(Conn): But there may be one good side to it : the Canada Geese may stay in Connecticut for good. But can you be sure that this kindly lady isn't actually poisoning them ( like the legendary pigeon poisoner elderly gentleman in ? New York ? )?

KateS2 (Connecticut)
Posts: 41

Posted:

It is not just the Canadian Geese. She must have at least 60 birds waiting on top of her shrubs for the bread. It is a bag in the morning, and a bag late afternoon every day.

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