u/Ancient-Rub558 — reddlx

▲ 173 r/halifax

Hey everyone!
Apologies for time lapse but yours truly has been under the weather. I have been using this time to gather more info and hoped I would hear from the HRM ByLaw team.

Have made sure to stop anyone with a dog and letting them know not to walk up this street, since a new pile of corn had been found. What I have found out is that not one person living in the building where the initial drop was had been notified of plans to eradicate pigeons by use of poison feed. It is safe to assume any other drops (in public) would see the same thing happen. Completely irresponsible and dangerous. Pigeon population has definitely decreased because there are a lot less on the roof of every building they normally rest on.
There is also a huge decrease in people walking dogs up/down this area- which is good. We have made sure the daycare is informed, as well.

There are no cameras on the property where corn was dumped (first one) and I cannot find any ring cameras to ask anyone to look at. Neighbours we are friendly with are keeping us abreast of anything happening on the initial site. Scarily enough, thinking poison was also on the roof since they are getting corn on their balconies. A lot of neighbours have indoor cats and are not willing to even step on their balconies in case they track poison in. This whole situation is so effed up. I cannot help but wonder how many other people are (unknowingly) facing this sort of situation. It really is an unscrupulous, cruel, and senseless way to deal with (what some consider) an issue when at least six other ways to do the job humanely exist. Certainly ways that do not endanger an entire neighbourhood (and beyond).

I am asking for any other reports of dead birds/suspected poison, specifically location.

FB Group Come, invite people...let's do this! <--- Link to FB group

Petition will be posted tonight.

Please be safe, everyone. xo

reddit.com

u/Ancient-Rub558 — 7 days ago

▲ 205 r/halifax

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has reached out wanting to help! So many wonderful people in Halifax with even better ideas!! I will be creating a petition this week in hopes it helps. Will do another update specifically for this once it is created. And will, of course, update with any news.

We did get the name of the pest control company, will not post the name- for obvious reasons. I will be doing some research into them and passing the name on to DNR and whoever else requires it to act.

I spoke with DNR yesterday, sent all the photos and info I have to date (as requested) about this mass of feed. The tech will be coming to the site to check it out and I will be updating him on what I learn and what new developments occur. He has requested I not clean up the seed since he will visit himself. Once he has, it will be cleaned up.

Still waiting to hear back from the HRM by-law team and Hope for Wildlife.

We did have a very nice reporter reach out and will be speaking tomorow. So this will get out- especially since one of you amazing people have given me a list of people to contact with CTV.

Since so many have expressed a willingness to help, at the moment, the only thing I can request is more people sending me any photos and locations you have found dead birds within HRM. It would be best to first see how far this is spread and have more documentation to have on hand for when it is needed. And of course, please speak to your loved ones about this so they can keep their pets and friends safe. While it is common for all birds to die of natural causes or accidents/electrocution, the uptick in deaths the past couple weeks says there is a larger problem that potentially can be a huge concern for everyone.

Also...just to note something I have learned from someone in the industry....HRM does not allow Avitrol to be used on their property (libraries, officiall buildings, etc) so they are well aware of the dangers this poses. If they do not use it on theirs, why the hell are they allowing it on ours. Especially since everyone knows not everyone follows the rules.

For now, HRM community and beyond, keep you, your pets and loved ones safe. And please try to keep your cats inside. This is not going to end overnight but we will make sure it ends. Sooner the better.

reddit.com

u/Ancient-Rub558 — 14 days ago

▲ 393 r/halifax

Pictures show where the feed was dropped almost a week ago. This is how much is still left after a few windy days and nights. We are finding these corn kernels on our property (next door), on the sidewalk, and in the street. There have been more than 6 birds found dead in a matter of days: pigeons, a crow, a wee songbird... It was put there by an extermination company, the name I am waiting to find out, so I can send all info to DNR and the by law team of HRM.

This sort of pest control is not as popular as it once was, likely because the ingredienta used (Avitrol atm) is poisonous to mammals (cats, dogs, etc). Most of the companies I have looked into in HRM are opting more humane and safe measures to control the pigeon populations. Using this sort of method will also see dogs and cats be lured to the corn- it is a common household food they may have been given at the table. It also lures protected birds. While this is legal to use, by professionals, the actual quantity allowed may not always be used. This is supposed to be a deterrent, not a killer of pigeons. Since amount of Avitrol used is not monitored when used, people will use more. The thing with this is it will affect our dogs and cats. Either directly (eating the corn) or eating a bird killed by this type of poison. And let's face it- not everyone keeps a close eye on their dogs and people still let their cats outside. And really, there are parents who (also) do not keep a close eye on their kids. Corn- what kid does not know this is food? You see what I am saying. A lot of birds have died in this one very tiny section of HRM- easy to deduce that there is way more poison than allowed. Even if not....this is is a hell of a lot of death and potential danger.

Also important to note that opting this cruel method is supposed to be done in a controlled environment. Say in a bird feeder or a bowl- not dumping it in a place where people and their pets are likely to be- or tracking it into their homes.

So that is the situation. I have been in contact with DNR Waverly and am awaiting a call with the by law team because this should not be allowed. Way too much risk for everything from our pets to protected and cherished birds. This is where the request comes in...

If you see dead or infected pigeons or any bird or mammal, contact Hope for Wildlife if they can be saved, your vet if your pet is acting weird, and DNR Waverly if you see a pile of corn dumped like this near your property. Please document so you can send to them. And lastly, if anyone is interested in helping me change the by laws regarding this, I would love the help fighting this- message me.

Please wipe your feet going in and watch your dogs and cats. Not all exterminators and property owners follow the rules.

**Edited to fix spelling mistakes.**

u/Ancient-Rub558 — 15 days ago