[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Amherst 11-20-2006 by L.L. No.
12-2006. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is the intent of this chapter to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the community and its wildlife by prohibiting the feeding
of wild waterfowl within the Town of Amherst. Feeding of wild waterfowl
within the Town has contributed to serious rat and other predatory
animal infestation problems, damage to public parks, water quality
problems, traffic hazards, soiled and contaminated private yards and
swimming pools and has increased the potential for the spread of disease
to residents. In addition, it is the intent of this chapter to protect
the welfare of the wild waterfowl themselves since wildlife studies
have shown that the feeding of wild waterfowl within urban areas such
as the Town of Amherst can interrupt their normal migration patterns,
cause nutritional problems, increase predation and promote the spread
of serious wild waterfowl diseases such as avian cholera, plague and
botulism.
No person shall feed or provide food for any wild waterfowl
at any time during the year within the Town of Amherst.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
To place, deposit, scatter or distribute in a location accessible
to waterfowl any type of food, including but not limited to corn,
wheat or other grains, bread, popcorn, scraps or any substance liable
to be eaten by wild waterfowl.
Refers to nondomesticated waterfowl, whether migratory or
not, including but not limited to Canada geese and mallard ducks.
A violation of this chapter is hereby declared to be an offense,
punishable by a fine not less than $50 nor more than $300 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both.
The provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced
by the members of the Amherst Police Department.
