Feeding of feral pigeons, open burning top the list of complaints received by Miri City Council

MIRI, Dec 1: Miri City Council (MCC) has issued an appeal to individuals sympathetic to pigeons who regularly feed feral pigeons to cease the practice immediately.

MCC mayor Adam Yii said MCC engagements with the public showed that the existence of large flocks of feral pigeons at certain locations and open burning conducted in and around private property have recorded the most complaints.

“Food is a common attraction to draw pigeons to an area; if there is a plentiful food source, they will keep returning. 

“House owners and property managers should take such measures (stop feeding feral pigeons) necessary for the destruction of the feral pigeons, removal of their nesting sites and preventing their re-appearance,” said Yii in today’s MCC Full Council Meeting.

He said it is an offence under the Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996, to keep feral pigeons. 

Those convicted of the offence are liable to a fine of not exceeding RM150 each day.

Yii who is Pujut assemblyman also took the opportunity to advise the public not to engage in open burning on private property without a permit from the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and written permission from Miri City Council. 

He said it is an offence under Section 112 (j) of The Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996 to engage in open burning which may create smog and effluvia, which is detrimental to health. 

Open burning, he said, is also a nuisance and offensive to affected neighbours.

Those caught violating the law may be fined a penalty of RM2,000. — DayakDaily