Chapter 6.08
INTENTIONAL FEEDING OF DEER
Sections:
6.08.030 Feeding of deer prohibited.
6.08.010 Definitions.
“Food” means corn, fruit, oats, hay, nuts, wheat, alfalfa, salt blocks, grain, vegetables, and commercially sold wildlife feed, birdseed or livestock feed, but excludes shrubs, live crops, plants, flowers, vegetation, gardens, trees, and fruit or nuts that have fallen on the ground from trees. (Ord. 17-13 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
6.08.020 Community education.
The city manager shall establish and implement a program to educate the community about the dangers of overpopulation of deer in urban and suburban areas. (Ord. 17-13 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
6.08.030 Feeding of deer prohibited.
A. Except as provided in subsection (C) of this section, a person commits an offense if the person intentionally feeds deer or makes food available for consumption by deer on private or public property within the limits of the city.
B. A person shall be presumed to have intentionally fed deer, or made food available for consumption by deer, if the person places food, or causes food to be placed, on the ground outdoors or on any outdoor platform that stands fewer than five feet above the ground.
C. This section does not apply to an animal control officer, veterinarian, peace officer, city employee, federal or state wildlife official, or property owner who is authorized by a local, state, or federal government to treat, manage, capture, trap, hunt, or remove deer and who is acting within the scope of the person's authority. (Ord. 17-13 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
6.08.040 Affirmative defense.
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this chapter if a person places food, in good faith, for the purpose of feeding domestic livestock or pets located on the property. (Ord. 17-13 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
6.08.050 Enforcement.
A. A person may report a violation of this chapter to the police department or code enforcement officer.
B. The city will enforce this chapter and may seek injunctive relief.
C. The city manager may authorize a city employee conducting an inspection under any provision of the city code to also inspect for compliance with this chapter and issue a citation for violation of this chapter. (Ord. 17-13 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
6.08.060 Penalty.
A person who violates this chapter commits a violation of city code. A violation under this chapter is punishable under the general penalty provisions of SMC 1.08.010. (Ord. 17-13 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)