Feeding backyard wildlife may seem harmless, but in Boca Raton, Florida, residents could face a $100 citation if that habit attracts large groups of nuisance animals.
By a 3-2 margin, the Boca Raton City Council decided that feeding those animals can be treated as a code violation.
Here's what to know
Bird feeders and feral cats are carved out of the measure. Otherwise, the ordinance bars feeding iguanas, rats, mice, or pigeons if doing so is likely to draw or maintain large groups of the animals, per CBS12.
Opposition came from Deputy Mayor Michelle Grau and council member Yvette Drucker, while Mayor Andy Thomson and council members Jon Perlman and Stacy Sipple backed both the ordinance and the $100 citation.
Drucker questioned whether the situation called for action and argued that enforcement would be difficult. Grau also raised concerns about enforcement and unnecessary government regulation.
Thomson said addressing residents' smaller concerns is also part of the council's responsibility, according to CBS12.
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What's being done?
Boca Raton's response is a targeted ordinance rather than a blanket ban on all outdoor feeding. By excluding bird feeders and feral cats, it applies only when people feed iguanas, rats, mice, or pigeons in ways that could attract or keep large groups nearby.
Where can I learn more?
Iguanas are a big part of this debate in Florida, where the invasive reptiles can tear up yards and damage other property. Officials there and elsewhere are trying a range of tactics to keep nuisance and invasive animal populations in check.
• In South Florida, invasive iguanas are tearing up yards again despite the cold snap.
• In Florida, officials say it's always been part of efforts to control invasive iguana numbers.
• In Taiwan, officials hope to raise bounty to combat exploding green iguana populations ravaging communities.
• In Florida, lawmakers are weighing banning shark feeding in state waters as safety concerns grow.
• In Tennessee, wildlife officials will pay residents $100 to help reduce invasive silver carp.
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