(A) The Council finds that the urban feral pigeon population is expanding and the droppings associated with large flocks of feral pigeons interfere with use and enjoyment of private and public outdoor facilities, create undesirable conditions and may have an economic impact on the City of Albuquerque.
(B) The Council finds that pigeon droppings damage and depreciate property, make walkways unsafe and unsanitary, and potentially represent a public health hazard due to parasites or disease that may be associated with accumulation of pigeon droppings.
(C) The Council finds that pigeon waste contributes to the pollution of the Rio Grande because the waste and its bacteria flows into and through the storm drainage system to the river after a precipitation event.
(D) The Council finds that supplemental feeding of pigeons by humans, whether deliberate or through negligence, is a substantial cause of the overpopulation of pigeons in the City of Albuquerque.
(E) The Council finds that providing readily available food sources for pigeons allows their numbers to increase in a manner that negatively impacts safe and comfortable use of commercial and residential areas, and that research has demonstrated that restricting access to food is an important factor in maintaining urban feral pigeon populations at acceptable levels.
(F) It is not the intent of the Council to eradicate the feral pigeon population; this article is intended to address public nuisance associated with large numbers of pigeons.
(G) It is the intent of the Council that the city place an emphasis on disseminating information about, and assisting citizens with, effective measures for preventing and abating pigeon nuisance in a manner that promotes effective management of pigeon populations.
(Ord. 16-2011)