Feeding deer can cost residents $5,000 fine

Starting Tuesday, if city residents get caught feeding deer or wildlife in their backyard, the city of Thunder Bay could take them to court.

Two months after the deer and wildlife bylaw was first passed, the city is now starting enforcement.

A Provincial Offences Act ticket or summons to attend court could be issued to anyone found not obeying the bylaw, and a fine of up to $5000 is possible.

But bylaw enforcement manager Ron Bourret said he expects the great majority of people will comply.

"[About] 95 per cent of the people say Oh I didn't know, or gee, it's a nice thing to do, but I didn't recognize the secondary issues with this," Bourret said. "They have chosen voluntarily chosen to stop [feeding the deer]."

Bourret said it's the five per cent of people who don't stop who face the prospect of being taken to court.

The no-feeding bylaw also applies to any non-domesticated animal, including geese, ducks, and gulls but excludes all other birds.

"The deer problem has been identified as causing an incredible increase in motor-vehicle collisions," Bourret said. "In areas where people have been feeding the deer, they accumulate, and [go] back and forth across nearby roads. Police reports show this is where some of the impacts are taking place."

Bourret noted the citywill be taking complaints and speaking with people to obtain voluntary compliance.

"Though we may have a record of having spoken to them, we'll ask them once again," Bourret said. "Failing that, we will take more aggressive action."