Town of Stratford, CT Article VII Feeding of Wildlife

[Adopted 11-14-2011 by Ord. No. 11-13[1]]

[1] Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. VII, Feeding of Wildlife, adopted 4-11-2005 by Ord. No. 05-01.

§ 83-26 Statement of purpose.

The purpose of this article is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife, including ducks and geese, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Town of Stratford and to restrict the feeding of unconfined wildlife on private property so as to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Town of Stratford.

§ 83-27 Definitions; exemptions from regulations.

A. For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

FEED

To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.

PERSON

Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.

WILDLIFE

All animals that are neither human nor domesticated.

B. Nonprofit agencies/organizations shall be exempt from this regulation if the feeding is for trapping purposes.

§ 83-28 Prohibited conduct; exceptions.

A. No person shall feed any wildlife on a continuous basis, excluding confined wildlife (wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers) in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Town of Stratford.

(1) No persons shall deposit, place, distribute, or leave any foodstuffs of any kind or nature within the designated boundary of Longbrook Park or Wooster Middle School, save and except in a receptacle provided by the Town for that purpose.

(2) No persons shall feed any animal, including, but not limited to, birds or waterfowl, within the designated boundary of Longbrook Park or Wooster Middle School.

B. The feeding of unconfined wildlife shall be permitted outdoors on private property at such times and in such numbers that:

(1) Such feeding does not create an unreasonable disturbance that affects the rights of surrounding property owners and renders other persons insecure in the use of their property.

(2) Does not create an accumulation of droppings on the property and surrounding properties.

(3) Does not become an attractant for rodents or other wild animals.

(4) Bird feeders are placed at least five feet above the ground.

(5) No food is left overnight on the property (bowls, containers, etc.).

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any public officer or public employee in the performance of his or her duties.

§ 83-28.1 Enforcement and penalties.

A. The prohibitions contained in § 83-28 of this article shall be enforced by the Health Department, Animal Control Officer or a police officer. Any person found to be in violation of these provisions shall be ordered to cease the prohibited conduct immediately.

B. Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of any provision contained in this article shall, for the first offense, be subject to a written warning by the Stratford Health Department ordering such person to cease the prohibited conduct immediately. The Stratford Animal Control Officer shall thereafter fine any person $100 for any second offense, $200 for any third offense and a fine of $300 for all subsequent offenses.