Citing a host of problems, the Bracebridge bylaw department is asking Town Council to tighten up the rules when it comes to feeding wildlife.
During tomorrow’s general committee meeting councillors will consider the implementation of a wildlife feeding bylaw.
The draft bylaw states that, “no person shall place or permit the placement of any food, pet food or feeding device on any public or private property within the Town in a manner that attracts wildlife or a wild animal.”
Bird feeders are allowed as long as they’re intended for songbirds, they’re fed from a bird feeding device sufficiently above grade to not attract wildlife, they don’t attract large flocks of birds like pigeons, and several other stipulations.
According to the draft, breaking the bylaws comes with a $200 set fine.
In recent years the bylaw department has seen an increasing number of complaints regarding feeding and aggressive animal interactions, according to a report by Michael Mayer, Chief By-law Enforcement Officer.
“The feeding of wildlife can result in a number of problems, such as an increase in human-wildlife conflict, a possible rise in the population of unwanted animals and wildlife, and detrimental effects on the welfare and health of wildlife,” says Mayer. “Wild animals should be left alone as they rarely require human assistance or nourishment. This makes it possible for people, pets, and wildlife to coexist. Concerns with the feeding of wildlife are echoed by experts and animal welfare stakeholders.”
According to the report, when feeding, numerous species of local wildlife tend to congregate in significant numbers. Consequently, this clustering of animals near local roads amplifies the likelihood of collisions between vehicles and animals, leading to potential property damage, injuries, or fatalities for both animals and humans.
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Municipal stupidity knows no bounds.
By order of Mayor Maloney. Town of Bracebridge.
Can someone tell me how much was paid (wasted) to come up with this bylaw. Must have been thousands in legal fees. Which law firm? How much staff time?
Lunacy while real issues ignored by Bracebridge staff higher ups, the Mayor and Council.
I see the Bylaw officers strut around town in their faux police uniforms. The whole thing is laughable. Comedy fest at the Town hall.
The whole bylaw is a bird brain idea hatched out of nothing. You’d think a pterodactyl was spotted at a Bracebridge bird feeder.
Will I be allowed to feed baloney to the birds?
Who plans to advise the birds they are not allowed to use the feeders.
Who plans to pursue the birds that violate the bylaw?
How will the birds be advised as to which ones can use bird feeders. Who shall I report the non songbirds to.
With all the nonsense going on at the Town Hall there should be no shortage of feed.
Does a flying squirrel that makes a chirping sound qualify as a songbird?
Can we feed the worms in our garden compost?
Is baiting fish now illegal?
Will I get a ticket by exposing my arm to a mosquito.
The bylaw also forbids feeding of drones. Yes drones.
Only in Bracebridge does this type of lunacy happen.
Jack is 100% correct. This bylaw is for the birds.
I’ll continue to feed ALL birds as I cannot sort out who sings for their supper. PS One of my birds has a cough at the moment. Does that qualify as a songbird?
I’m ignoring the bylaw. I’m bigger than this bylaw. Bylaw can find me on Cedar Lane. Just follow the birds.
I agree. Lets get the actual problem they are encountering. I have been around animals all my life some of them human so to speak. We need to preserve the trees in Muskoka.
What a farce of a bylaw.. Don’t they read their own bylaw? Bird feeders are for songbirds only.
The Bracebridge bureaucrats are out of control. But it’s ok to clearcut 20 acres of land within the urban boundary. (Manitoba Street) .
Sorry folks, hummingbirds don’t qualify as songbirds.. I’m putting up a sign on our feeder. “Songbirds only. By order of Mayor Maloney. Town of Bracebridge.”
Perhaps the other birds can self identify as songbirds.
What’s next? Bylaw officers fining birds?