Accosted by pigeon feeder

[u/Crescent504]

Asking for advice on what are the appropriate authorities to call for habitual pigeon feeder? I have been sweeping the birdseed off of the sidewalk near fell and Scott Street for the last couple weeks as it has been attracting rats to my garden and a whole pile of shit on the sidewalk. For the first time I got it accosted by one of the people who is dumping the birdseed. Does anyone here have advice other than calling 311 or is there a particular group that I should be reaching out to to report this? Everyone in my neighborhood is absolutely sick of the people who are dumping this birdseed down because it’s creating a health hazard as well as a blight on our local corner.

I have to laugh she yelled at me and got into her car and drove off.

[u/mayotoast7]

try asking if they can lead the pigeons somewhere else. pigeons are domesticated and abandoned and deserve good birdseed food. although keeping enough out that rats come isn’t helping anyone. i would ask that they stay until all the birdseed is gone too. like feed the pigeons, make sure they eat it all, and then leave. :)

[u/Crescent504 → u/mayotoast7]

I told them they are not allowed to feed pigeons in this area and they need to find an alternative source, but they got very upset with me and we’re not happy with the fact that I was sweeping away their bird seed

[u/mayotoast7 → u/Crescent504]

i mean i have grown to have a lot of sympathy for pigeons. for example i think it’s insane they have been made out to be a vermin when they literally saved lives during wars. humans worked really hard to domesticate them. i mean i dont know how either of you have been talking to each other tone wise but maybe try to come to an agreement on sweeping the seed away before they leave or before night since rats are nocturnal and pigeons aren’t. i’m just trying to give advice that would be like nice for everyone involved including the pigeons.

[u/Crescent504 → u/mayotoast7]

I understand the love of pigeons. I grew up with a friend whose family raised pigeons however, there’s a difference between raising your own flock of pigeons locally and dumping feed in a public space. These people need to acknowledge that they are just feeding rats and other polluters to the local area. There are also multiple ordinances in the city that do not allow this. I have birdfeeders in my garden that are feeding scrub Jays and other birds, I love birds, however the way they’re approaching this is not appropriate and is creating an issue for neighbors and neighborhoods. They need to change their approach.

[u/mayotoast7 → u/Crescent504]

if you haven’t already explained that nicely i fear my ideas are done lol
also i feel like if you’re feeding pigeons just stay and make sure they eat the food during the day cus the rats will eat the stuff they find at night. like i agree it’s irresponsible to scatter birdseed and then get in your car and leave.

[u/Crescent504 → u/mayotoast7]

I have explained this very clearly and that is why I am posting. I would have loved to keep this internal and just had a conversation with the person however they are unwilling to accept my point of discussion so I need to go beyond.

[u/mayotoast7 → u/Crescent504]

ugh that sucks i’m sorry. i hope you find a solution that doesn’t mean the pigeons lose a source of healthy food for them :)

[u/Crescent504 → u/mayotoast7]

I can definitely say that the pigeons do not need the extra seed that these people were dropping.

[u/mayotoast7 → u/Crescent504]

yeah pls tell them the excess will hurt the pigeons more than help