Channel NewsAsia 3 Jul 18;
SINGAPORE: Two men have been fined for feeding pigeons in two separate cases, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a statement on Tuesday (Jul 3).
In the first case, 62-year-old V Rajandran was fined S$400 on one count of pigeon feeding, which he did with bread crumbs at the void deck of Blk 145 at Potong Pasir Avenue 2 in February 2018.
In the second case, 68-year-old Abdul Aziz Saik Mohamed, was fined S$1,500 for five counts of pigeon feeding, with another six counts taken into consideration during sentencing.
Investigations showed Abdul Aziz had fed pigeons at a grass verge at Blk 825 at Woodlands Street 81 on multiple occasions between December 2017 and May 2018, despite previous warnings from AVA and a “No feeding” signboard nearby.
Both men were repeat offenders, with Rajandran and Abdul Aziz having been fined on four and two previous occasions respectively.
Pigeon feeding in a public place is an offence that carries a fine of up to S$500 under the Animals and Birds (Pigeons) Rules.
“The presence of feeders provides a regular source of food which may lead to pigeons congregating in the area. Feeding encourages pigeons to breed and results in an increase in their population,” AVA said.
“Pigeons dirty the environment with droppings, and leftover food from pigeon feeding may attract other pests, like rats, that carry diseases and pose a risk to public health,” AVA added.
Two men fined $1,500 and $400 for feeding pigeons in two separate cases
Charmaine Ng Straits Times 4 Jul 18;
SINGAPORE - Two men were fined $400 and $1,500 for feeding pigeons in two separate cases in court on Tuesday (July 3).
In the first case, Abdul Aziz Saik Mohamed, 68, was fined $1,500 for five counts of pigeon feeding, with another six counts taken into consideration during sentencing.
In October last year, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore was alerted to a case of pigeon feeding at Block 825 Woodlands Street 81, said the AVA in a statement on Tuesday.
Investigations found that Abdul Aziz had been feeding pigeons at a grass verge near a "No Feeding" sign on multiple occasions between last December and May this year.
Despite several warnings from the AVA, he continued to feed pigeons, and was previously fined on two occasions for a similar offence, said the authority.
In the second case, 62-year-old V Rajandran was fined $400 for one count of pigeon feeding.
The authority was alerted in February to the case at Block 145 Potong Pasir Avenue 2, where V Rajandran had been feeding pigeons with bread crumbs at the void deck.
He was previously fined four times for a similar offence, said the AVA.
Pigeon feeding in any premises or public place, including at Housing Board estates, is an offence, the AVA added.
"The presence of feeders provides a regular source of food which may lead to pigeons congregating in the area. Feeding encourages pigeons to breed and results in an increase in their population," said the authority.
"Pigeons dirty the environment with droppings, and leftover food from pigeon feeding may attract other pests, like rats, that carry diseases and pose a risk to public health."
Those caught feeding pigeons can be fined up to $500.
In its statement, the AVA encouraged the public not the feed pigeons and to report pigeon feeding activities using its online feedback form or through the OneService app.
"Members of the public can also talk to others about the downsides of feeding. By leveraging their sphere of influence, they can help change the behaviour and perspectives within their community," it added.
