Grove, Arizona (3TV/CBS 5) — Gila County officials have formally banned all wildlife feeding, citing public health and safety concerns and the need to protect wildlife.

Feeding is defined by the ordinance as the placement of edible items such as food by-products, litter, and litter where wildlife will want to eat. This ordinance applies to all areas of federal, state, or national parks in Gila County. This does not apply to the normal agricultural needs of livestock and farming. Seeds, nectar, or materials for birds and tree squirrels that are inaccessible to other wildlife. fountains, ponds, or bird baths; or parts of plants or trees that may have fallen to the ground, often eaten by wildlife.

The ordinance also repeals the Bear Contact Ordinance, which was issued as an emergency in 2001 due to increased human-bear contact in the county. At a hearing held by the oversight board in early February, Josh Beck, part of the emergency management program, said, “We’re working with Game and Fish to see what’s good about other ordinances in the state. We imitated the bad points,” he said. One conference attendee said he strongly opposed the ordinance.

“Our elk is followed daily on social media sites and has become a Payson mascot,” she said. “We live in their woods. It’s a well-known fact that our local moose herds are among the most well-fed, and the new regulations will fix the stupidity.” No.” Another attendee at the meeting said he also opposed the regulation. “How effective is this? Can they prove it? It seems pretty hard to enforce,” he said. “I think the cost and responsibility should be put on Arizona’s game and fish, not on us in the county.”

Animal Control Officers or Peace Officers can issue subpoenas of up to $500 if violations are witnessed. The ordinance also provides for hearing officers to oversee violations and subpoena payments within the county. You can read the full text of the ordinance below. Watch the hearing here.

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