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| The law against feeding wild pigeons will be enforced in both private and public areas |
Starting this month, the maximum fine for the illegal feeding of feral or wild pigeons has gone up to $100,000 which is 10 times higher than the $10,000 set previously.
The new penalty is provided for under the Wild
Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023, which also provides that the offence
can be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000 on the spot.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
In announcing the stricter law, the authorities said
there will be a grace period of until Aug. 31, when offenders will be issued
with just a warning. After this period, violators will be meted appropriate
penalty without prior warning.
Officers from various government departments,
including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Housing
Department, and Leisure and Cultural Services Department, are empowered to
enforce the law on both public and private premises.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
The harsher penalty is aimed at reducing the feeding
of wild animals and address associated nuisances and sanitary concerns like the
birds shedding feathers, dropping poop and pestering people for food, while
potentially transmitting viruses.
Being fed by people in these areas is seen to have
served as an incentive for the pigeons to forage and gather in increasing
numbers.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
To promote the revised law, government officials held
an outreach event at Hang Hau Station on Sunday to inform people about the
stricter rules. They also called on citizens to report any violators to make
the new law more effective.
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