Update: Ban on bird feeders in Long Branch, NJ

Yay! Reality outdoes stupidity.

The Asbury Park Press 03/27/07
BY CAROL GORGA WILLIAMS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

LONG BRANCH — The City Council will vote down tonight two proposed ordinances regulating how people could feed and care for animal life, said Council President Michael DeStefano.

The measures, based on model ordinances provided by the state Department of Environmental Protection, were proposed two weeks ago when DeStefano was absent.

"I just can't believe what happens when I'm gone,'' DeStefano said during a workshop meeting prior to the regular council meeting tonight. "Obviously,there was a law of unintended consequences here.''

City Attorney James G. Aaron will seek clarification from the DEP on the model ordinances. Questions have been raised whether the measures would require pet owners from cleaning up urine after walking their dogs, and would ban backyard birdfeeders.

Said DeStefano, ". . . we'll move on to something more sensible and less injurious to wildlife.''