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Proposed Ordinance Would Let Pest Control Companies Shoot Pigeons

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 October 2005, 00:00 CDT

By The Record, Stockton, Calif.

Oct. 4--LATHROP -- Pigeons beware.

City staff today is expected to introduce to the City Council a proposed ordinance change that would allow pest-control companies to use guns on pigeons as a last resort to control the birds' population.

"We really did not want to do this," City Manager Pamela Carder said. "We're fairly animal-friendly. But we've run out of things to try."

The council meets at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 390 Towne Centre Drive. The proposal would enable private pest-control workers to get firearms permits on a case-by-case basis and use guns on pigeons or any animal deemed a pest.

The new policy was drawn up with pigeons particularly in mind, because the birds apparently have a large presence in Lathrop and have posed continuing problems the past two or three years, such as the amount of droppings they leave, Carder said.

"We have a lot of pigeons in some places. It gets all over everything."

She said the city has worked with companies to trap pigeons and relocate them or use noisemakers to scare the birds off. But the pigeons always seem to return, she said.

The proposal would amend an existing city ordinance that says police and animal-control officers can use guns in health- or safety-related emergencies.

The council could adopt the change Oct. 18 to include pest-control workers.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Record, Stockton, Calif.

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Source: The Record

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