Don't feed the pigeons! £75 fine warning for Sandwell towns
People could be hit with fines of up to £75 for feeding pigeons in three towns, after the birds were branded a 'risk to public health'.
Sandwell Council has warned people not to feed the birds, or risk being pecked in their pockets.
New signs have gone up in West Bromwich town centre urging people not to feed pigeons, with Smethwick and Wednesbury set to follow suit.
People have also been warned they could be fined £75 for littering for leaving food.
Councillors said the implementation of the signs follows 'concerns about the number of pigeons in the town centre – and the problems infestations cause'.
Sandwell Council and West Bromwich Business Improvement District (BID) chiefs said they are worried about the 'potential damage to buildings, nuisance for shoppers and businesses and risks to public health'.
Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for public health and protection, said: "We urge people not to feed pigeons in our town centres.
"Council wardens are patrolling ‘hot spots’ to educate people on the nuisance, health risks and damage that feeding pigeons cause.
"Signs will also go up soon in areas of Smethwick and Wednesbury town centres, where concerns have been raised."
Rebecca Jenkins, chair of the West Bromwich BID board, said: "The town centre pigeons have been causing cleanliness problems in the town centre for the last couple of years.
"We now provide extra cleaning at the Farley end of the town centre, but it is a continual problem.
"We are asking the general public not to feed the pigeons, as food left for them is making the situation worse."
Among the problems associated with pigeon infestations highlighted by the councillors are droppings being acidic, corroding stonework, metal and paint.
Droppings, nesting materials, feathers and dead birds can also block air vents, drains and gutters, which can lead to further damage and flooding.
The council says droppings and food left for pigeons are unsightly and cause footpaths to become slippery and dangerous.
And uneaten food also attracts rats, which contaminate food with their droppings and cause damage to buildings and electrical wiring by gnawing.
Although the likelihood of infection is considered low to the general public, the council says diseases carried by pigeons can be transmitted to humans if droppings contaminate food.
Pigeons also carry mites, which can cause skin disease and dust from their feathers can cause respiratory problems in work situations.
