Bylaw flap over bird feeder, pigeons 'ridiculous' says Sudbury woman

All Roma Lundgren wanted to do was feed the birds. Now, the Sudbury woman has pencilled a court date into her calendar, accused of illegally feeding pigeons. 

"It's kind of ridiculous," said Lundgren of being slapped with a summons from Greater Sudbury's animal control services.

"I do have a bird feeder up in my backyard which is meant for songbirds ... some pigeons hang around, they want to try and get some of the seeds that fall down on the ground."

Lundgren said a neighbour made a complaint to the city.

"They did not like the pigeons pooping in their driveway, and they blamed me, because I have a feeder up in the yard." 

Lundgren said — like many people — she's been watching birds come to her yard for decades. 

"Once [we stopped] laughing," she said of the conversation she had with her lawyer about the matter, "he was so shocked and so surprised — our lawyer has a feeder in his yard!" 

If the matter goes to court in August as scheduled, Ludgren said her lawyer will fight it.

"If I have to take my bird feeder down, then I guess everybody else in Sudbury will have to do the same."

Listen to the complete interview with Roma Lundgren here. 

'Nuisance animals' bylaw

The city of Greater Sudbury declined an interview request from the CBC, but said in an e-mail statement, "In respect to the Animal Control By-law (2002-285), residents are discouraged from feeding or keeping nuisance animals, including raccoons, bears, and pigeons." 

It continued, "The City is in the process of reviewing the Animal Control By-law. Throughout the review of the by-law, which included public feedback, there was much support for clearer guidelines in respect to the feeding of wildlife. A report to Council is expected on July 12 that will outline the key principles of the new by-law."