Councillors to vote on whether to ban feeding wildlife

Kitchener councillors have heard some horror stories from residents about what happens when wild animals get too comfortable in cities.

As they prepare to vote Monday on a controversial bylaw that would ban feeding of most wildlife on private property, several councillors said they’re in agreement with the idea of a ban.

As proposed by staff, the bylaw would still allow people to have bird feeders. The law would be used to handle cases where a resident is leaving food outside that attracts pests such as rats and raccoons, a situation that upsets other neighbours.

“There have been situations where people have left chicken carcasses and pizza in their yards to feed wildlife,” said Dave Schnider, councillor for Ward 2 in the eastern part of the city.

“The wildlife don’t just stay in the yard they are fed in. They cause issues for other nearby residents.”

If a resident feeds ducks by leaving out bread, those ducks leave their droppings on the property of neighbours, for example.

Coun. Yvonne Fernandes of Ward 4 in southwestern Kitchener said people in her ward are concerned about colonies of feral cats who live in wooded areas.

As well, when one person feeds wildlife, his or her neighbours get raccoons and skunks coming into their yards and nesting in or near decks and garden sheds.

These neighbours are concerned both about the safety of their own pets outdoors and also that these wild animals may have rabies.

And the unwelcome guests are “absolutely destroying patio furniture,” she said.

Coun. Bil Ioannidis, who represents the Forest Heights area, said one of the residents in his area was attacked by a wild turkey while she was walking her dog.

Although this happened several years ago, it is a reminder to him that when city residents feed wildlife, the animals settle down there. Sometimes their relationships with humans can be difficult.

Coun. Scott Davey said he is inclined to support the proposed bylaw as well, provided it is not too heavy-handed.

“We’re not going after the sixyear-old that’s giving a chipmunk some peanuts,” he said.

He said he’s hearing a mixed response from residents in his northeastern Kitchener ward. Some are concerned about overfeeding of wildlife. Others are asking whether the city should have any business in people’s backyards.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said he will wait to hear all the arguments on Monday before deciding. He said he’d like to explore a way for a bylaw to deal with “chronic abusers” without targeting everyone else.

Feeding of wildlife on public property such as parks is already prohibited.