(a) Except as provided in division (d) of this section, no person shall intentionally feed deer by any artificial or supplemental means within the limits of the City.
(b) For purposes of this section, "feeding" shall include the act of placing, or permitting to be placed, on the ground or within five feet of the ground any fruits, grains, minerals, plants, salt licks, vegetables, seeds, nuts, hay, or any other edible material that may reasonably be expected to be consumed by deer, unless such items are screened or otherwise effectively protected from potential deer consumption. "Feeding" shall not include the placement of any of the herein identified substances if such placement is the result of naturally growing materials, planted materials in gardens, or as standing crops, residue from lawns, gardens or other vegetable material maintained as mulch or compost, or commercially purchased bird or squirrel feeders or their equivalent, provided such feeders are at least five feet above ground level as required herein.
(c) Any materials or device placed in violation of this section shall be removed by the property owner within twenty-four hours of a notice of violation being served upon such property owner. Alternatively, a property owner so notified may modify any offending device or make such other changes to the property in violation so as to prevent deer from having access to the prohibited materials or from feeding from the device. Failure to remove such materials or to modify such device shall constitute a separate violation of this section.
(d) This section shall not apply to any law enforcement officer or agency or any state or federal game official acting within the scope of said official's official duties nor shall this section apply to any feeding activities by any person specifically permitted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
(e) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Each day following notice as set forth in division (c) of this section during which a property owner remains in violation shall constitute a separate violation of this section.
(Ord. 07-58. Passed 1-8-08.)