SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WWJ) – City officials in Southfield are telling residents to stop feeding the deer.
The city on March 7 enacted an ordinance prohibiting residents from feeding deer in an attempt to eliminate deer attraction, reduce car vs. deer crashes and reduce depredation impacts on residents.
Ordinance No. 1748 addresses recreational feeding and high deer populations that can result in the destruction of residential landscaping and gardens, as well as pose a threat to public safety by increasing deer and automotive accidents, officials said.
The ordinance states that no one “shall place or permit any grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay or other edible materials less than five feet above the ground surface.”
Unless, of course, such items are screened or protected in a way that keeps deer from feeding on them.
Officials did not disclose any statistics on deer in the city, but residents have often seen a large population of deer, especially along Inkster Road, between 9 Mile and 11 Mile Roads.
First-time violators of the ordinance will receive a written warning with the penalties they could face if they break the rule again.
Officials say exceptions to the prohibition include veterinarians, city/county animal control officers, parks maintenance staff, county, state, or federal game officials that are within their duties, have a deer in their custody, or a deer under their management.
The ordinance also gives an exception to anyone feeding domestic animals or wild birds with “properly maintained feeding containers or devices, or the use of straw-related material for landscape purposes.”
An exception also includes anyone using plant material for decorative seasonal or holiday purposes between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31.
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