Title
An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the City of Ann Arbor by Adding New Sections, Which New Section Shall Be Designated as Sections 9:54 (Deer Feeding Prohibition) of Chapter 107 (Animals) of Title IX of Said Code (Ordinance No. ORD-15-21)
Memorandum
The proposed new sections to Chapter 107, Animals, of the City Code would implement an artificial feeding ban.
City Council Resolution No. R-14-144, approved on May 5, 2014, directed the City Administrator to provide deer management options and on August 14, 2014 City Council was presented the Administrator's "Report to City Council regarding Deer Management." Included in the Report's recommendations was the implementation by City Council of a deer feeding ban.
A deer feeding ban has the potential to reduce the probability that deer will gather and remain in neighborhoods where their previous food sources are diminished. In addition, when feeding bans are combined with other management strategies, depredation impacts and other public safety concerns can be minimized over time.
The MDNR has noted in its educational bulletins on Deer Feeding during winter months that the artificial feeding of deer may concentrate the animals into even a smaller area than their normal habitat, which can cause negative consequence - the potential for diseases transmission and habitat degradation. Deer will eat anything within close proximity of an artificial feeding site; which can result in removal of edible vegetation that other wildlife species depend on for food.
In addition problems with feeding deer include human-deer conflict such as deer/vehicle collisions and diminishing the wild nature of deer.
The proposed ordinance would
? Prohibit the placement of edible materials which could reasonably be expected to be a food source for deer
? Establish certain exception to the prohibition for veterinarians. animal control officers, persons authorized to implement an adopted City Deer Management Program...
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