SQUIRRELS: There's a law against that

In the “Fuzzy Friends” front-page story Mr. Cousins obviously either didn’t care or know about the city ordinance against feeding wild animals inside the city limits. For all citizens who may have been warned about feeding the wildlife why has nobody else spoken up?

In 2010 the city passed an ordinance against the feeding of wild animals 6.15.040: FEEDING WILD ANIMALS, It is unlawful to feed or provide food or other attractants (other than ornamental plants or vegetable gardens) to wild animals within the city limits except:

A. Feeding birds, other than turkeys, geese, and ducks, by utilizing a bird feeder that may be accessed only by birds or squirrels. (Ord. 3383 §2, 2010)

There are no bird feeders designed to keep squirrels from getting food that was intended for the birds anywhere on courthouse property. Tax dollars pay for security services at the courthouse. Public servants feeding “rodents” as Mr. Olivio described them, is what tax dollars go for! They shouldn’t be encouraging rodents to visit the same door(s) used by visitors to the courthouse or court property. This law has been in place since 2010 for a reason. I guess neither The Press nor Mr. Barnes (director of courthouse security) care about the fact that squirrels carry fleas or lice even when it is illegal. HOA’s and citizens know this law. Front page should’ve read “Courthouse security violating City Ordinance.”

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Have these employees been cited? Awaiting Bubonic Plague. Thanks lots!

CYNTHIA CIALLELLA

Coeur d’Alene