Politics & Government

Modified Ordinance to Prohibit Feeding of Wildlife on Private Property

Those in violation can face punishment by fine, imprisonment, or community service

Lacey residents will no longer be able to feed wildlife on their own property once the township committee passes a modified version of its Wildlife Feeding Regulations.

“The lakes have been affected by the geese population problem,” Mayor Mark Dykoff said. “We’re just trying to strengthen up the ordinance.”

As part of the township’s geese population management plan, the committee did a first reading of the modified ordinance, which prohibits the feeding of wildlife including geese on public and private property.

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“The purpose of this article is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township of Lacey or on any land publicly or privately owned which includes lakes, waterways, lagoons, streams, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply,” the resolution says.

Feeding wildlife on public property, which contributes to the presence of geese, had already been illegal and the township intends to update the signage at the lakes to reflect so, Recreation Director James Wiloand said at a  

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According to the ordinance, feeding of wildlife constitutes as giving, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife.

Dykoff said the township has yet to receive complaints regarding the modified ordinance but Ernest Hotaling, 87, of Deerhead Lake South was visually upset when he heard the news.

Hotaling has lived off the lake for more than 40 years and has created a sanctuary for the birds, he said.

that feeding and watching the geese brings the family “great pleasure.” The Hotaling’s look forward to the bird’s arrival yearly as they get to witness the goslings hatch as well as learn how to swim and fly.

“It’s annoying to me that taxpayers’ money is going towards this dribble,” Ernest Hotaling said. “Doesn't the township have anything more important to worry about? I don’t pay taxes for a law to prohibit wildlife from landing on the water.”

Hotaling said that in his many years living off the lake, he hasn’t seen members of the public feeding the geese and feels that the township would be infringing on his rights to do so himself.

In addition to feeding geese, Hotaling admitted to feeding squirrels as well as seagulls.

“It’s not right,” he said. “Don’t police wildlife that can’t defend itself and don’t police me. I’m not going to bend over for people who want to destroy wildlife.”

The resolution includes all non-domestic animals (excluding baiting fish) and those who are caught feeding wildlife will be issued a summons; a judge will then assess a fine, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said.

The ordinance states that any person in violation of the law, if convicted, can be punished by a fine between $100 and $1,250, imprisonment of no more than 90 days, community service of no more than 90 days or any combination of fine, imprisonment and community service.

“Let them issue a summons,” Hotaling said. “It’s nature. We’ve always accepted wildlife. That’s the beauty of the lake — looking at the ducks.”

But Hotaling’s neighbor, Louis Ilaria sees otherwise and has witnessed area residents feeding the birds.

“I’m all for it,” Ilaria said. “I can’t stand the geese. They cause all sorts of problems.”

The geese are a health hazard, nesting on his property, eating vegetation and leaving droppings everywhere, he said.

Sometimes as many as 15 geese can be found on his property, which is located right off the lake. When the geese are in his backyard, he’ll let his beagle out to chase them away.

A second reading of the ordinance will be done at the next committee meeting on Thursday, May 10.

The modified ordinance is attached to this story as a PDF.


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