NEWBURGH, Ind. (WFIE) – Officials say raccoons and other animals have been running wild over Newburgh neighborhoods, some even spreading diseases to other animals.<\/p>\n
They say people in the area have been feeding them, causing them to come in droves, creating problems for neighbors.<\/p>\n
Town manager Chris Cooke says feeding small animals is normal, but what they\u2019ve seen goes far beyond that, and something needs to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want folks who feed songbirds to think we\u2019re coming after them or they leave feed out for a squirrel or a rabbit,\u201d Cooke stated. \u201cThis is like 50 pound bags of food being left out for raccoons and other animals that has caused that population to get out of balance in a densely populated area here in the town of Newburgh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Town officials are discussed an ordinance Wednesday night that would penalize feeding large animals, and it was passed. <\/p>\n
The ordinance would issue a written warning after one offence, followed by fines of up to $500.<\/p>\n
They say they\u2019re concerned about animals making people sick and getting into homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey start looking for food, essentially terrorizing a neighborhood with their fecal matter, rummaging through trash, and getting into attics,\u201d Cooke stated. \u201cI would encourage anybody who thinks they have a wildlife problem to check their attic, because they will go in when it\u2019s cold like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
No matter what, they say they plan to continue educating the public on the impact of feeding large animals.<\/p>\n
They say if it stops, both the animals and people in the area will be safer and healthier.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last thing we want to do is hurt wildlife,\u201d Cooke stated. \u201cThat\u2019s not the intent of this. We want to protect the wildlife so we can share that symbiotic relationship with the residents that call Newburgh home.\u201d<\/p>\n
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