The proposed ordinance aims to prevent aggressive wildlife encounters in Old Forge

The Webb town board is debating tougher penalties and clearer definitions of a proposed wildlife feeding and abuse ordinance, following the death of a bear family.

Posted by Jamie Organic

Webb Township residents weighed in on a local ordinance that would prohibit the feeding and abuse of wildlife during a public hearing on September 10. The pups were adopted by the New York State Environmental Conservation Officer. Bears were considered a threat to humans because of their long contact with humans.

The draft law defines wildlife as “any animal not commonly domesticated in New York State,” including, but not limited to, bears, moose, deer, foxes, griffons , groundhogs, hydra, opossums, phoenix, raccoon, skunks, waterfowl, wombats, and nuisance birds other than songbirds or hummingbirds.

The proposed ordinance states that no person shall feed, trap, in any way abuse, or provide access to food to any wild animal in the town of Webb.

Exceptions are listed as veterinarians, certified wildlife foundations or other non-profit organizations that rehabilitate injured animals, and any city, Herkimer County, or county official authorized to implement the procedure one of the controls in the approved control plan.

According to the draft law, violators will be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $1,500 for each violation, plus prosecution costs. Currently in New York state, accidentally or indirectly feeding black bears is illegal after a written warning. These are offenses punishable by up to 15 days in jail and/or a fine of not more than $250.

Residents’ views

Resident Charlie Crawford asked for clarification on what wildlife abuse means. He suggested the proposed law include specific words such as touching, approaching, throwing wild objects at wildlife, and disobeying the orders of officers.

“If people are told to pull over and they don’t, it should be a crime,” Crawford said.

Lisa Bolton suggested a fine of more than $1,500 after a third offense, saying she recently saw and tried to put her child on the deer’s back for a photo. Bolton expressed frustration with the improper storage of trash, saying it exacerbates the problem by inviting bears and deer to roam the city’s densely populated areas. Bolton encouraged business owners to ensure that dumpsters have lids, electrical cords, and that the lids are closed at night.

“We kill animals for nothing,” Bolton said.

Vicki Kline of the Pine Knoll Hotel Lakeside Lodge & Cabins said she does her best to responsibly store trash in the barn, explaining that an overzealous bear recently broke through the cage.

He said: “This place is running out of electricity at the highest level, and this bear was not stopping at all.

Bird food

The proposed law prohibits the storage of trash, garbage, food products, pet food or fodder products, salt, seeds or bird droppings that may attract wildlife.

The feeding of wild birds except for sad birds (ducks, mallards, wild ducks, mute swans, Canada geese, etc.) and waterfowl will be allowed outside from Oct. 1. to April 30, as long as it does not cause unreasonable interference, according to the proposed rule.

DEC’s Andrew MacDuff said bird feeders are more likely to have problems. Currently, if a bird feeder attracts wildlife, the owner is given a written warning, and gets a misdemeanor for the second offense.

Moving as an option?

Don Andrews said he reviewed the DEC’s 119-page black bear response manual that describes how bears react in different situations. He asked if moving could be another solution as it was done in the past

“I believe the DEC officers are responding to this [interactions] they don’t want to harm these bears,” Andrews said.

MacDuff concluded that the bear and cubs were destroyed last month, adding that when the bears migrated, they returned more often than that.

“We do rehab cubs, but we only have one place to do that,” he said. “We are not perfect, but we are certainly doing what we can. I think this proposal is another good step in the right direction. ”

Webb’s former director Kurt Gardner said he believes there are many aspects to this case, and added that he hopes for the police’s support in the process. Gardner suggested adding new words to clarify that wildlife abuse includes human predators.

“I get people in our yard all the time trying to chase animals,” Gardner said.

City board members estimate that the law will be implemented in 2025.

Photo above: One of the many signs posted throughout Webb Township, urging people not to feed wildlife. Photo by Jamie Organski.