Local News in Brief : Do Not Feed the Critters
Feeding coyotes, oppossums, raccoons or other non-domesticated critters would be outlawed within the city limits under an ordinance approved Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council.
The ordinance, which awaits Mayor Tom Bradley’s signature, was pushed by Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky and Lila Brooks, Director of California Wildlife Defenders.
“It seems as though these wild animals are losing their fear of humans and are becoming threats to public health and safety,” Yaroslavsky said.
Robert Rush, general manager of the city Animal Regulation Department, said educational programs warning residents of the dangers of feeding wild animals or not securing their trash cans have not been successful.
The new law would not apply to people with permits to keep such animals, nor does it mean that trapped, injured or unweaned animals cannot be fed.
“These animals will not starve,” Rush said. “They will simply move on to more natural food sources instead of the ‘fast food’ we have been providing them near our homes.”
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