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Residents press West Linn to adopt enforceable wildlife-feeding rules
Summary
During public comment, residents described aggressive crows and repeated wildlife feeding (one resident said he counted 13 skunks at a neighbor's porch) and urged the council to craft an enforceable wildlife ordinance; staff said the ordinance will be considered in December and is under legal review.
Several West Linn residents used the public-comment period at the Nov. 18 work session to urge action on a proposed wildlife ordinance. Randall Young, a 33-year resident, described long-term problems with a neighbor intentionally feeding wildlife and said the practice created a public-nuisance problem that made neighbors fearful to use yards. Young said he "counted 13 skunks" feeding off a neighbor—s back porch and asked the council to adopt an ordinance with enforcement teeth rather than voluntary requests to cease feeding.
Steve Peterson, another resident, recommended the ordinance explicitly list the species that may be fed or, conversely, state that no wild animals may be fed except for a short enumerated list; he offered to share example ordinances from other cities and urged the council to consider prohibiting feeding of crows given regional crow-roost issues.
Staff responded that the draft wildlife ordinance is under legal review and will return for council consideration in December; staff also said an emergency clause might be explored so enforcement could take effect upon adoption if warranted. The council thanked residents for substantive suggestions and noted further ordinance refinement will happen before the December agenda item.
