(a) Generally. It is the intent of this section to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community and its wildlife by prohibiting the feeding of wildlife on public lands within the boundaries of the City of Chillicothe, Ohio. The feeding of wildlife encourages them to halt their normal migrations and habits and establish residency in the City. Growing populations of geese, in particular, result in large amounts of droppings that can potentially spread disease and other problems including excess nutrients in the city's lakes, rivers, and streams, which can cause algae blooms, damage lawns and soil public areas around said lakes and other wetlands.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
(1) "Feed." To place, deposit scatter or distribute in a location accessible to wildlife or waterfowl and migratory birds any type of food, including but not limited to corn, wheat, or other grains, bread, popcorn, or scraps of any substance liable to be eaten by wildlife.
(2) "Wildlife." Animals including but not limited to waterfowl, pigeons, birds, deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, coyotes, other wild animals such as feral cats/dogs etc., and other vermin on public lands.
(3) "Geese." All species of geese that are not domesticated.
(4) "Person." Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
(c) Prohibitions.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally provide food or other sustenance to wild animals including but not limited to geese, waterfowl, pigeons, birds, deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, coyotes, other wild animals such as feral cats/dogs etc., and other vermin on public lands.
(2) A nuisance condition shall be deemed to exist for the purposes of division (c)(1) when as a natural and predictable result of the amount and type of food given to wildlife and/ or the repetitive nature of the feedings, causes the wildlife to do any of the following within the boundaries of the public lands of City:
A. Create a habitat on public property;
B. Cause substantial damage to public property; or
C. On more than one occasion, leaves feces on public property.
(d) Penalties. Any person violating any of the prohibitions in this section shall be deemed guilty of a minor misdemeanor for the first offense and fined one hundred dollars ($100.00). For the second violation of this section, the violator shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and fined two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). For the third offense and subsequent violations of this section, the violator shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, fined five hundred dollars ($500.00), and be barred from all City parks. In addition, the court may order at the violator's expense, removal or transfer of the geese by the appropriate company or authority. (Ord. 17-24. Passed 4-22-24.)