Dubuque enacts ordinance banning feeding and harassment of bears as sightings rise

The Dubuque City Council on May 5 adopted an ordinance prohibiting intentional feeding and harassment of bears within the city limits, a response to increasing sightings and a resident bear that officials say has been present since about 2020. The council unanimously approved suspending three readings and then passed the ordinance by roll call, 7-0.

City staff presented the measure as a public-safety and wildlife-health tool. Public Health Director Mary Rose Corrigan introduced Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife depredation biologist Ross Ellingson and Dubuque County Conservation Director Brian Preston, who briefed the council on recent sightings and management considerations. Ellingson said the bear "is now one that we're calling a resident bear. He's been here to the best of our knowledge since about 2020," and described how repeated feeding makes bears less likely to leave.

The ordinance makes it unlawful to intentionally feed or to negligently make food available to bears; it also prohibits harassment, which the ordinance defines broadly to include approaching a bear by foot, vehicle or drone and certain crowding behaviors, including for photography. The ordinance authorizes staff to require removal of attractants on request for no less than 10 days in areas where a bear is present and makes noncompliance enforceable by civil citation.

Brian Preston of Dubuque County Conservation emphasized public safety and a long-standing maxim: "the old saying is a fed bear is a dead bear," and urged residents to remove bird feeders, unsecured garbage and other attractants. Councilmembers and staff discussed practical enforcement, educational outreach and reporting. Mary Rose Corrigan said the city PIO will prepare educational materials and that residents should report sightings to the police department or county conservation so agencies can track locations and share data with the DNR.

Officials noted that bears in northeastern Iowa appear to be increasing in number, with the DNR estimating roughly four bears in the region based on available reports; officials said they have not documented cubs in the area. The ordinance includes language to allow reasonable deterrent actions for public safety when a bear approaches a person, while discouraging organized chasing or crowding that can provoke aggressive behavior.

Motion to receive and file and suspend three readings passed by roll call; final passage also passed by roll call with Sprank, Jones, Roussell, Farber, Wethal, Cavanaugh and Resnick voting aye.