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Ridgewood debate on wildlife‑feeding rules centers on deer, rats and elder residents’ concerns
Summary
Residents and council members debated a proposed ordinance restricting wildlife feeding in private yards. Officials said the measure aims to reduce deer‑related nuisance and tick exposure; opponents said restrictions would harm wildlife and burden older residents who feed birds.
A proposed Ridgewood ordinance restricting wildlife feeding in private yards drew extended public comment and council discussion at the April 23 meeting.
Dolores Carpenter, who identified herself as an 86‑year‑old Ridgewood resident, urged the council to reconsider strict limits. She said removing long‑standing backyard bird feeders would cause "extreme hardship, physical harm, and eventually mortality" for urban wildlife and noted practical difficulties for seniors who refill feeders. "I would have to climb on a ladder to put this bird seed in the bird feeder every day," Carpenter said.
Village officials described the ordinance as a public‑health and nuisance measure aimed at reducing deer aggregation, tick risk and rat attraction. Council members said the health department and animal control had received substantial complaints about residents feeding deer and that some homeowners reported seeing large groups of deer that frightened neighbors and impeded yard use. Deputy Mayor Pam Perrin and other council members said they sought a narrowly tailored rule that preserved residents’ ability to keep bird feeders while limiting conditions that attract deer and rodents.
Key details the council discussed include: - A proposed exception allowing limited bird feeders in private yards, provided they are at least 6 feet off the ground (to reduce deer access) and fitted with an under‑feeder baffle to reduce spilled seed that can attract rats. - The state‑level proposal (still pending) that would require feeders to be 10 feet off the ground and removed nightly; Ridgewood’s proposal would be less stringent unless state law changes. - Enforcement by the village health department and animal control in response to complaints; council members emphasized the ordinance was designed to be narrower than outright bans in some neighboring communities.
Council members repeatedly stressed the ordinance is not a ban on bird feeders. "It's a compromise that preserves the right to feed birds while also trying to reduce deer and rat problems and allow children to use their yards," one council member said.
Public reaction included support for bird watching and concern about the effect on wildlife, and several residents urged the council to hold broader community outreach before finalizing the ordinance. The matter remains under consideration; no final vote was taken during the session.
Ending: council members asked staff to continue refining the ordinance language, incorporate public feedback and present a final draft for formal consideration at a future meeting.
