The Department of Strategic Planning, Environmental Sustainability, and Public Services of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has penalised two city residents with a £1,000 fine each for feeding pigeons on public streets, thereby breaching the Municipal Ordinance Regulating the Protection and Ownership of Animals in Santa Cruz. This action is classified as a serious administrative offence that can incur a penalty of up to £1,500. The incidents occurred on Ángel Romero and Las Asuncionistas avenues.
Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasised yesterday that “feeding any animal on public streets is a serious offense and shows a lack of respect towards other citizens. These residents must be penalised to prevent a recurrence, as such practices can lead to severe public health issues and deterioration of our heritage.”
On the other hand, Carlos Tarife (PP), the Councilor for Strategic Planning, Environmental Sustainability, and Public Services, stated that “we will continue to penalise anyone who feeds pigeons in Santa Cruz. This practice not only results in uncontrolled population growth of these birds but can also spread diseases such as histoplasmosis, salmonellosis, and cryptococcosis. Moreover, pigeons can carry parasites like bedbugs and ticks, causing significant damage to architectural heritage and urban infrastructure, resulting in a negative economic impact on public finances.”
The councilor further remarked, “The city council is making significant efforts to control the high pigeon population in the city, and we cannot allow individuals to feed them, leaving food remnants on public streets and attracting infestations of rats or cockroaches.”
Hawk
The City Council, through its pest control contract and the deployment of cages and nets, manages to capture between 700 and 1,000 pigeons monthly. Additionally, since the previous week, a falcon has been released in strategic areas such as Plaza de España or García Sanabria Park to instil a conditioned reflex in the pigeons, making them feel unsafe about breeding and roaming around these locations. A specially trained bird is employed for this purpose.
