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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.