man fined £50 for feeding the birds gets his money back
By TOM DAVIS Local Democracy Reporter
A MAN fined £50 for feeding bread to seagulls in a Coventry park has been given his money back by the council after it was dubbed a “staggering overreaction”.
Ergun Sahillioglu was left “shocked and hurt” after he was fined for feeding a loaf of bread to the birds at Hearsall Common, in Earlsdon, on January 29.
Onlooking council officers accused the 55-year-old of littering, despite there being no signs informing him he was committing an offence.
Now the authority has done a U-turn, agreeing to refund his money.
But the authority is still classing feeding the birds as littering - and will be installing signs in parks where it is not allowed.
Mr Sahillioglu, who said he was taught to feed the seagulls by his late father to help relieve stress, said he “will carry on with my father’s traditional meditation”.
A spokesman for the council added: “We have agreed to refund Mr Sahillioglu as a gesture of goodwill.
“We will also relook at our signage to ensure that areas where we have problems with bird feeding are clearly signed.
“We will also look to update our website to make it clear that feeding the birds can be classed as littering especially if there is an excess amount of food.”
The fine had been criticised by ward councillor for Earlsdon Cllr Allan Andrews (Con) as a “staggering overreaction”. He called on the council to reimburse the money. Mr Sahillioglu received a letter from the council on Wednesday, February 13 notifying him of the refund. The council has not confirmed whether it will be an offence to feed the birds in Hearsall Common yet.
The locations of the signs warning against feeding birds are yet to be agreed.
Cllr Andrews, who met with council officers last week after he was approached by Mr Sahillioglu for help, said he was pleased the authority has reversed its decision.
He added: “I met with senior council officers to discuss this issue and to relay my concerns about how this matter has been handled.
“I am pleased that common sense has prevailed and that officers have recognised that the approach adopted on this occasion was not appropriate.
“A refund to Mr Sahillioglu is entirely right and I’m pleased that a number of sensible, practical steps, such as introducing new signage at problem locations, are being introduced to ensure fairness.”