by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 16, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Leaving bread for waterfowl or other animals in Wilmington could soon lead to civil or criminal penalties, a step city lawmakers hope will address a fowl problem at one park.
Wilmington council members voted Thursday to expand a ban on feeding pigeons in public locations to include waterfowl, other types of birds, and wildlife. The measure also applies to private property where permission has not been granted.
The bill, passed in a unanimous decision, was primarily crafted as a response to an increasing number of bird droppings from seagulls at Cool Spring Park. Residents have said at least one person leaves loaves or pieces of bread, attracting the waterfowl to the park and causing pavement, benches, and drinking fountains to accumulate bird feces.
However, the city’s existing laws only prohibited people from feeding or leaving food for pigeons and did not identify any other types of wildlife.
“This was a park where we just spent millions and millions of dollars and we had to be calling public works to clean it and there’s families there with children and it’s just one of those things we had to address,” said Councilman Charles “Bud” Freel (D-District 8), the bill’s primary sponsor.
The bill would be enforced by the city police department with civil penalties and possible criminal offenses doled out to violators.
The bill also contained language allowing homeowners to have bird feeders for “songbirds,” so long as they didn’t become public nuisances.
Many ornithology experts warn against feeding pigeons bread or other household foods. The National Audubon Society wrote last year that bread, fresh or stale, essentially serves as junk food for birds and does not benefit their nutrition.
Nonetheless, two council members weren’t convinced the bill was worth passing.
Councilman Robert Williams (D-District 7) said he felt the actions of a “rogue individual” in city parks shouldn’t prompt a policy that would could lead to criminal penalties for visitors who just want to feed the birds. He said it was hypocritical to ban feeding birds based partially on their nutritional needs while shooting down his proposal to ban smoking in city parks two years prior.
“I imagine the grandmoms and the grandpops taking their grandkids to the park to feed duckies and an officer having to tell them they’re breaking the law,” he said.
Supporters argued the problem is relatively isolated but still needs to be addressed.
“This is what happens when the neighbors call it in and they complain and they try to work with the city departments and nobody wants to be accountable for it,” said Councilwoman Maria Cabrera (D-At Large).
Some residents said it was unfortunate that the problem required legislative action but hope it will improve the condition the park.
Richard Caplan, a resident of nearby Rodney Court apartment building, said the park’s appearance has suffered because of the feces. He also said leaving food outdoors attracts rats and other rodents.
“I don’t see it as a very healthy or seemly practice,” he said.
Councilwoman Loretta Walsh (D-At Large) said the fecal matter left behind by waterfowl has caused thousands of dollars in damage.
“Like everything else in this country, it all comes down to poop, doesn’t it?” she said.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 15, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, UltraSonic Bird Control
SINGAPORE — The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has issued a warning letter to a home owner who had suspended a live mynah from a string from his window to scare the bird after it defecated in his Yishun home.
The AVA investigated the incident after it was flagged by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), which had responded to a call reporting the incident in November last year. ACRES had also shared a video on its Facebook page showing the hung mynah.
Responding to queries, the AVA said the mynah had flown into a flat and defecated inside.
“The home owner caught the mynah and suspended it outside a window by its tied legs, in an attempt to scare the mynah,” said an AVA spokesperson. “The home owner had intended to release the mynah.”
According to ACRES, the father of the caller who reported the case to ACRES’s Animal Crime Investigation Unit had approached the home owner asking him to release the mynah, but was told to “get lost”. The bird was released after the police were called in.
In its response, the AVA said the public can deter birds from entering homes by ensuring that food and refuse are properly handled and not left out in the open or by installing bird-proofing equipment such as screens or netting on windows.
When contacted, ACRES founder Louis Ng expressed disappointment at the AVA’s “light” response.
“Obviously we had hoped for stronger enforcement (beyond) just letting him off with a warning, especially considering the abuse was intentional,” said Mr Ng, pointing out that the Animals and Birds Act had been amended to take into account incidents of intentional animal cruelty.
Mr Ng, who is also a Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency, added that the incident might have psychological repercussions for the bird, and a stronger penalty could have acted as a deterrence to potential animal abusers.
In a Facebook post last Saturday (March 5) sharing that the AVA had taken action against the home owner, ACRES also suggested humane ways of scaring birds off, such as by hanging wind chimes, placing scarecrow or predator visuals, and applying non-toxic bird-repellent spray.
“We hope that, through education, people can learn to live in greater harmony with our native birds,” it said in the post.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 14, 2016 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
Spikes and chicken wire have been installed and layers of bird droppings removed from the footpath on the lower deck of the Craigavon Bridge leaving pigeons confused but the walkway remained closed to walkers and cyclists on Tuesday, March 8.
The path was closed by Transport NI at the beginning of February due to the build-up of pigeon droppings, which had begun to pose a slippery safety risk for walkers and cyclists.
A pigeon hang-out close to the steps near the Waterside end of the bridge was blamed. It was there that layers of pigeon droppings, millimetres thick had been allowed to accumulate.
But now that’s all been fixed. The pigeon droppings are gone and anti-pigeon spikes and chicken wire have been installed to help deter roosting near the steps.
SDLP Councillor, Martin Reilly, who has been lobbying for a solution, says he’s pleased to see the new deterrents in place and hopes that the lower deck footpath will be opened in the near future.
“I’d hope we’ll be seeing the reopening of this popular cycle path linking the Cityside and the Waterside in the near future,” said Mr Reilly.
“I’d like to welcome the agreement reached between Transport NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council not only to install the spikes and take the other measures to prevent pigeon-roosting, but I’d also like to welcome the commitment by the cleansing service to keep this popular pathway, free of dog mess and pigeon mess.”
While the footpath is now spick and span, Transport NI, has warned there’s no panacea against bird roosting.
Harry Gallagher, a section engineer at Transport NI, last month said: “Additional measures are being planned at the worst location to help deter pigeon roosting mess at Craigavon Bridge. These measures are likely to involve the use of mesh and spikes although I am prepared to consider other means as well. Efforts are being concentrated on the worst affected areas as there are so many possible ledges on Craigavon Bridge it does not seem realistic to make it pigeon proof.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 13, 2016 | Animal Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
What a police department does
It is a public expectation that the police will help citizens resolve the issues concerning them.
The Ontario Police Department, when receiving a call for service, a concern, or information, must objectively consider factors such as whether the issue fits within the scope of law enforcement duties, whether a concern is legitimate, and if there is any appropriate action that can be taken (to name a few).
The department also tries to take into account various circumstances bearing on any particular situation that might make it unique or that might justifiably change how it should be handled, all while striving to maintain fairness and objectivity.
In light of this, the Ontario Police Department, on behalf of the governing body and the citizens, is making the following public announcement.
The issue
Over the course of the last several months, multiple residents of the village have brought to the attention of the police department various concerns about cats throughout the village. It has become evident over time that there is a legitimate public interest regarding a substantial feral cat population within the village.
There are (conservatively estimated) 30-plus cats not appropriately cared for as pets within the village limits, as directly observed by police, and maybe many more,according to other estimates. The problems have included sick cats, including one that had diarrhea for months; cats leaving scat on private property/decks; cats digging in garbage; feral cats harassing pet cats (taking food, attacking and injuring the pet, etc.); and a cat severely biting a human; not to mention the various other annoyances any animal at large might pose, as you can well imagine.
Not least to mention is the warning given by veterinarians that an unmanaged feral cat population can become inbred, causing a low quality of life for the cats themselves. Of particular concern is the fact that a local veterinarian has documented two chronic, contagious, fatal diseases in cats from Ontario: feline leukemia and feline AIDS.
Why the police department is involved
This type of situation is not unique to Ontario, and various jurisdictions have unique ways of dealing with it. There is no animal control officer for cats in the village, many of the situations fall under village ordinances, the legitimacy of public concern has become obvious, and there is action that can be taken.
The Ontario Police Department is therefore acting in conjunction with other public officials and on behalf of the welfare of the public as it tries to address the situation comprehensively and efficiently.
How you can be a part
You can help! The most efficient way for the village to control the issue is with citizen cooperation, and we are asking for it now.
1) If you have a pet cat(s), please keep its location controlled (the same as you would a dog) and get it spayed or neutered. Unwanted kittens could potentially become part of a feral cat population.
2) If you don’t have a pet cat, please do not feed cats. Feeding stray cats contributes to,rather than alleviates, the problems. Consider the following clarification: Anyone feeding a cat regularly is claiming ownership under the village ordinances.
3) Take advantage of a low-cost cat clinic when it is offered in the village (watch the County Line for information on a clinic that will be offered later this spring). The clinic offers spay or neuter services at greatly reduced prices as well as vaccines.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jul 12, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Feathers are flying in Horncastle over calls from the town council for people to stop feeding the town’s ‘problem’ pigeons.
Councillors issued the appeal through the Horncastle News after expressing concerns about the damage and amount of mess the pigeons are causing.
They claim that people feeding birds are leading to an increase in the pigeon population.
Councillors have previously ruled out other suggestions to control the number of birds, including putting them on the pill or bringing in trained hawks to kill them.
The council was supported by the town’s History and Heritage Society and the local Federation of Small Businesses.
Some residents also backed the council but several others say the birds should be left alone.
And one pigeon – dubbed Percy by locals after taking up residence in the town centre – appears to have his very own fan club.
Pensioner Sylvia Petfield told the News: “I know the pigeons do cause damage to buildings but surely there are more important things to worry about in this town.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
