Ross residents who feed deer can now be fined under new law

Ross residents who put food out to attract deer onto their properties now risk being fined by the township under a new law approved by the board of commissioners.

Citing public health concerns and the danger posed to motorists, the board commissioners voted 6-2 to impose the measure, which calls for a $25 fine for the first offense, $75 for the second, $150 for the third, and $300 for the fourth and subsequent infractions.

Voting against the measure were Commissioners Rick Avon and Grace Stanko. Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer was absent when the law was approved at the Aug. 20 meeting.

Commissioner Dan DeMarco, who authored the measure, said accidents caused by deer roaming the densely populated community is a growing risk to motorists and a health concern for residents because of the disease spread by ticks carried by the animals.

Previous efforts by the township to stop residents from feeding deer were defeated, in part, because they went beyond deer control to include a prohibition about feeding other wildlife, including feral cats.

The ban approved by the board deals exclusively with deer.

But putting food out on public or private property for other animals — including birds — could result in a fine if deer end up getting to it first, according to the measure.

“If you want to feed birds and other animals, that’s fine,” DeMarco said. “But you’re going to have to figure out a way to do it so the deer aren’t getting the food.”

Residents will be given 24 hours to remove food from their properties once they have been notified by the township that they are in violation of the ordinance.

In addition to the danger a growing deer population poses to drivers, deer are considered a major contributor in the spread of Lyme Disease, which is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, or deer ticks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.

Stanko said she does not believe the deer problem is as great as it has been portrayed and that residents in her ward with whom she has spoken did not want the ordinance imposed.

“I talked to a lot of my constituents and this is how they wanted me to vote,” she said following the meeting. “And I don’t think we need to have so many rules and regulations for something like this.”

Avon said he objected to the portion of the ordinance that could result in a fine for residents who feed other animals.

He also was concerned about enacting a law that will only be enforced when a complaint is filed by a resident.

A prohibition against feeding deer is recommended by state game officials because the practice can harm the animals.

Chronic Wasting Disease, a contagious condition that is fatal to deer, is spread through saliva, according to state game officials.

Game experts say the disease spreads when healthy deer eat from a pile of food that has been tainted by an infected deer.

Consuming food other than what is available naturally also can result in serious digestive problems for deer during certain times of the year, according to the game commission.

Deer also can become habituated to eating from artificial food sources and stop searching for food in the wild, further risking their ability to survive, officials said.

DeMarco conceded that the township does not have the resources to seek out people who violate the ordinance and will have to rely on residents filing complaints about neighbors who don’t comply.

“A lot has been said about this causing a situation where neighbors will be pitted against neighbors,” he said. “But we’ve heard from a lot of people who are unhappy about the problems caused because their neighbors are feeding deer.”

DeMarco noted that laws about high grass in yards, abandoned vehicles, allowing trash to pile up and other neighborhood nuisance also are often addressed because residents have notified the township about the problems.

“I think a lot of people will simply inform their neighbors who do the feeding that they are no longer allowed to it,” he said. “I think a lot of the problem will be dealt with without the township having to get involved.”

Tony LaRussa is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tony at 724-772-6368 or tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib.