Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves ordinance to prohibit feeding seagulls and extends feeding ban to all city property
Summary
After years of complaints from neighbors, the City Council approved on second reading an amendment to the animal-control code to add seagulls to feeding prohibitions and to extend the ban to all property within city limits; supporters said prior enforcement options were limited by federal migratory‑bird protections.
Cheyenne City Council approved on second reading June 23 an amendment to chapter 6.08 of the municipal code to prohibit feeding of seagulls and extend existing feeding prohibitions to all property within city limits. The ordinance change was proposed after persistent neighborhood complaints, notably from Henderson Drive, where residents and property owners said large flocks of seagulls were causing noise and fouling houses, sheds and solar panels.
Speaker Zach (last name on file) and neighbors described attempts to resolve the problem through compliance staff and neighborhood petitions; Richard Johnson, who has assisted residents with mitigation measures, said earlier outreach and nonregulatory responses had limited impact and that attempted humane deterrents yielded only temporary changes. Several council members noted the city’s limited enforcement options because many avian species are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act; City Attorney explained the statute prevents local governments from authorizing lethal removal outside permitted seasons and licensing.
Councilmembers who spoke on the item urged the ordinance as a necessary tool for compliance and public-health protection where birds create property damage and nuisances. The ordinance passed on second reading; councilmembers anticipated returning to adopt the ordinance on third reading at a future meeting after the required process.
