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Victoria approves ban on feeding pests

Feeding wildlife will cost you $350 under new city bylaw

If feeding pigeons, doves or gulls is your passion, you better get to know the boundaries of the downtown.

Victoria city council passed a motion forbidding people from feeding these birds in the core, where they have proven themselves to be an expensive nuisance for businesses.

Companies have to remove nests around their buildings' vents, said Coun. Charlayne Thornton Joe.

At first council considered a blanket ban on feeding these three species of birds. Instead, it voted to restrict a no-feeding zone to a limited area.

Some people have a "deeply-engrained attachment" to feeding animals, said Coun. Ben Isitt.

Council also passed a motion prohibiting people from intentionally feeding deer, squirrels, raccoons or feral rabbits anywhere in the city.

The fine for feeding restricted animals is $350.