HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2015-25 - Intentional Feeding of DeerAn Ordinance of the City Council of the City Of Georgetown, Texas
Amending Chapter 8.05 of the Code of Ordinances Relating to "The
Intentional Feeding of Deer;" Creating an Offense; Providing a Penalty
Clause; Repealing Conflicting Ordinances, Providing a Severability
Clause.- and Establishing an Effective Date.
WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown (City) has a significant deer population that
has been increasing; and
WHEREAS, the deer population in the City poses a hazard to motorists in the
City, causes a reduction in plant life and other wild animals, and causes damage to
landscaping installed by residents and commercial landowners of the City; and
WHEREAS, the feeding of deer has been shown to increase the concentration of
deer in the area of feeding, thereby increasing the likelihood of collisions between
vehicles and deer, and increasing damage to vegetation and landscaping in the area;
and
WHEREAS, the feeding of deer has been shown to encourage deer to remain in
an urbanized area and to become reliant on non-native food sources that may not be
sustainable or healthy;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the adoption of an ordinance regulating
the intentional feeding of deer promotes the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of
the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, that:
Section 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance
are hereby found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference
herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim.
Section 2. Chapter 8.05 of the Code of Ordinances relating to "The Intentional
Feeding of Deer is hereby adopted as detailed in the attached Exhibit
Section 3. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person
or circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other
provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without
the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are
hereby declared to be severable.
Section 4. All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance
be, and the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in conflict
with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City
Secretary to attest. This Ordinance shall become effective in accordance with the
provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown.
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jessi a Brettle, City Secretary
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By:.
Dale Ross, Mayor
Ordinance Number: —1121 'C— Page 2 of 4
Description: Intentional Feeding of Deer
Date Approved- Pvl
"Food" means corn, fruit, oats, hay, nuts, wheat, alfalfa, salt blocks, grai
vegetables, and commercially sold wildlife feed, birdseed or livestock feedj b
excludes shrubs, live crops, plants, flowers, vegetation, gardens, trees, and fr I,
or nuts that have fallen on the ground from trees. I
The city manager shall establish and implement a program to educate the
community about the dangers of overpopulation of deer in urban and suburban areas.
I�A) Except as provided in subsection (C), a person commits an offense if the person
intentionally feeds deer or makes food available for consumption by deer on
private or public property within the territorial limits of the city.
(B) A person shall be presumed to have intentionally fed deer, or made foo
available for consumption by deer, if the person places food, or causes food
be placed, on the ground outdoors or on any outdoor platform that stan
fewer than five feet above the ground,
(C) This section does not apply to an animal control officer, veterinarian, peace
officer, City employee, federal or state wildlife official, or property owner who
is authorized by a local, state, or federal government to treat, manage'capture,
trap, hunt, or remove deer and who is acting within the scope of the person's
authority.
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this chapter if a person places food,
in good faith, for the purpose of feeding domestic livestock or pets located on the
property.
Ordinance Number:Page 3 of 4
Description: Intentional Feeding of Deer
DateApproved, M81gM o7!j 2015
(A) A person may report a violation of this chapter to the Code Enforcement
Department.
A person who violates this chapter commits an offense. An offense under this
chapter is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $75 or more than
$125.
Ordinance Number: .22a -a!;— Page 4 of 4
Description: Intentional Feeding of Deer
Date Approved: 6 CAt 2015