A woman in Tenerife has been fined €2,250 for feeding pigeons in public, violating the Municipal Ordinance on Animal Protection and Ownership. This regulation classifies such actions as a serious administrative offense, punishable by fines up to €3,000.
The standard fine for this offence is usually set at €1,500 but this is not the first time she has been sanctioned for the same offence, and the amount increases when multiple infractions occur within a year.
The incident in question took place between Calle San Francisco Javier and Calle San Juan Bautista in Santa Cruz, which is close to where the woman, a resident of Tenerife, lives.
Carlos Tarife, the Councillor for Environmental Sustainability and Public Services, emphasised, "We will continue to fine anyone feeding pigeons, as these practices lead to uncontrolled population growth. Pigeons can transmit numerous diseases, cause severe damage to architectural heritage and urban furniture, resulting in substantial economic strain on public funds, and attract rats and cockroaches."
The Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, explained: "This is a serious offence committed by a resident who has been fined for feeding pigeons in public areas before. The Council continues to work on penalising these practices, which not only violate municipal ordinances but also pose significant public health risks and contribute to the deterioration of our heritage."
The City Council, through its pest control contract, captures between 700 and 1,000 pigeons per month using cages and nets. Additionally, controlled flights of a falcon are conducted in strategic areas, such as Plaza de España and Parque García Sanabria, to create a conditioned reflex, making these sites less attractive for pigeons to inhabit and reproduce.
