Windsor couple 'devastated' after neighbour files bird feeding complaint with city
A Windsor couple is upset after having to remove five bird feeders from their front yard or face penalty.
Robert and Dawna Lajoie say in this time of inflation and COVID, they enjoy watching the birds at their living room window from their west Windsor home on Matchette Road.
“We were devastated,” the couple says. “We’re on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) so we don't get a lot of entertainment time, especially with the economy the way it is. It was relaxing for us.”
Robert says he’s been feeding birds for 22 years and was surprised when a neighbour told him a complaint would be filed with the city if they weren’t relocated to the backyard.
“I was shocked,” he says. “Like, these are supposed to be friends!”
The Lajoies say they refused to move the bird feeders because there aren’t any windows to watch from that side of the house.
Robert notes he suffers from depression and anxiety, claiming the bird feeders help.
“I’m medication refractive, which means I can't take the pills,” Lajoie explains. “So there's a picture window here and we had the bird feeders out here and you wouldn't believe what that does to make you feel on a bad day.”
The pair tells CTV News a City of Windsor bylaw officer came to their property earlier this month notifying them a complaint had been made that the feeders were attracting rodents and creating a mess on the ground, and from above.
Robert and Dawna Lajoie with their bird feeders in Windsor, Ont. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)
“We pride ourselves on taking care of wildlife, you know,” Lajoie says. “We have an opossum, we have had the skunks living under our porch which is the best thing for taking care of rodents.”
Lajoie says the enforcement officer explained a new bylaw had passed last year that prevents people from feeding wildlife.
“She was an extremely nice woman. I couldn't believe how nice she was. She was apologetic. She kind of sounded like she didn't understand why,” he says.
CTV News reached out to the neighbour who issued the complaint, but they did not wish to comment.
The couple says they’ll leave the bird feeders alone for now, noting they were relieved they didn’t receive a fine.
“If we found a bird feeder that you could put seed in and it didn't drop to the ground, that would be fine,” Lajoie says. “But there's no such thing.”
Licence commissioner Craig Robertson confirms a bylaw passed in 2021 as a way to reduce wildlife and rodents, like rats.
“Those that want to feed songbirds, you are allowed to under the bylaw,” Robertson says. “But that food needs to be in an enclosed container so that wildlife and other rodents can't access it.”
Robertson explains if bird food ends up spilling onto the ground it needs to be cleaned up by property owners.
“You can't just sprinkle food on the ground,” he says. “You can't have bowls or containers of food in the yard. If that is the case and we get a complaint, our bylaw enforcement officers will go out and assess the situation.”
Robertson says repeat offenders with feeders that can’t be maintained could face a fine up to $5,000 if the property owner isn’t complying with subsequent visits.
“At this point, we haven't laid any fines. Generally we've been able to gain compliance and the property owners have worked with us,” Robertson adds. “We're quite happy that we haven't had to go to court on this.”
Meantime, the Lajoies say they can’t afford to move, and hope they can speak with city officials about allowing exceptions to the rule for responsible home owners, noting they intend to build a new front yard fence.
“We make sure garbage cans are covered. We made sure that we fixed our compost so they couldn't get in there,” Dawna adds. “Good fences make better neighbours.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.