Toronto updating bylaws to improve interactions with city wildlife
If approved by council, the feeding prohibition would come into effect next April. Private property would be included, but the bylaw won’t affect bird feeders for songbirds.“The way we approach these types of things is to educate people and have them come into compliance that way,” said Dr. Attard, “and if people won’t, then there is escalating enforcement.”
Urban wildlife photographer Andrew Budziak agrees escalating the ban should be a priority. But as someone who has documented how animals coexist in cities as a means to inform people on the importance of sharing habitats, Budziak said education should be the top priority. “I don’t think people intentionally go out to harm animals — in fact, quite the opposite. They think they’re doing good,” Budziak said.“People think by hand-feeding they’re being kind to these animals, but they’re not and I think that truly comes from just a lack of understanding.”Suspected ‘aggressive’ coyote shot and killed after some residents bitten, Toronto police say
Part of that responsibility, he said, ultimately falls to the public educating themselves before they head out on a hike or bike ride. Along with expanding the feeding prohibition, the city is also looking at adjusting rules for how many animals can be kept in a home, extending the time given to people to pick up dog waste from their own property, and removing the authority to impound problem cats which often ties up efforts to help sick animals.
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