(A) Findings. It is hereby determined that an increasing population of deer within the city poses a threat to public safety by:
(1) Increasing the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions;
(2) Contributing to the transmission of diseases to humans from deer;
(3) Posing a threat to native and ornamental plants and animal life by excessive foraging which disturbs natural ecological balances;
(4) Posing a threat to the quality of life by deer-related damage to landscaping and vegetable gardens;
(B) Purpose. Prohibition on supplemental deerfeeding, which results in unnatural concentrations of deer and can affect the normal movement of deer within the community.
(C) Prohibition. No resident may place or permit to be placed on the ground, or within five feet of the ground surface any grain, salt licks, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, hay or other edible materials which may reasonably be expected to intentionally result in deer feeding, unless such items are screened or protected in a manner that prevents deer from feeding on them. Living fruit trees and other live vegetation shall not be considered as supplemental deer feeding.
(D) Exemptions from provisions.
(1) Veterinarians, city animal control officials or county, state or federal game officials who are in the course of their duties and have deer in their custody or under their management.
(2) Persons are feeding birds using self-enclosed feeding devices or containers.
(3) The use of straw, hay or straw-related materials for erosion control, mulching, gardening or other landscape purposes.
(4) Persons are maintaining a compost pile that is screened or protected to prevent deer from foraging.
(Ord. 87, 4th series, passed 3-6-2017)