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Prescott Valley clarifies wildlife-feeding rules, urges residents not to attract javelina
Summary
Animal services explained a new local rule that permits bird and squirrel feeding only if elevated, and prohibits feeding that attracts larger wildlife such as javelina; residents are urged to pick up fallen fruit and avoid feeding wildlife.
Prescott Valley Animal Services Officer Alana Caswell described the town's approach to limiting human behaviors that draw wildlife into neighborhoods. She said feeding that attracts larger species is prohibited while providing guidance that bird and squirrel feeding remains allowed if placed out of reach of larger animals.
"What is allowed is feeding squirrels and birds, and it needs to be up off the ground where your general wildlife, like deer and javelina, skunks especially cannot reach it," Caswell said, explaining the ordinance intent to keep larger wildlife in the wild and away from residential areas. She advised residents with fruit trees to collect fallen fruit routinely to avoid attracting javelina, which she said can be destructive and may become agitated if they enter neighborhoods.
Caswell said the town coordinates with wildlife rehab partners for animal welfare concerns and stressed that feeding or intentionally attracting wildlife increases the risk of conflicts and public-safety issues.
