BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors withheld from approving an ordinance that would ban people from feeding wild animals and feral cats on county property, including public parks.
The proposed ordinance would make it unlawful for any person to provide access to food, feed, or bait to wild animals, including, coyotes, deer, squirrels, feral cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, or beavers without a license or permit granted by the county within or upon any public park, building, or recreational area owned, maintained, or operated by the county.
The ordinance said there were health and safety concerns due to the feeding of wild animals and feral cats in Kern County Parks and at County buildings, including rabies, attacks, and overpopulation.
The ordinance would set escalating fines for violations. A first-time violation would bring a $100 fine. A second violation within a year would bring a $200 fine, and a third violation would cost $500.
In Bakersfield, an ordinance already bans people from feeding wild animals.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors withheld on adopting the ordinance following public comments and decided to have more conversations on it. Supervisors moved forward on a motion to make a special committee to hear from the public.
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The meeting can be found on YouTube.