Penticton

Penticton residents who continue to feed deer in the city can expect to pay a fine of $200.

A fine of $350 will also be imposed on people who try to obstruct officers coming on to their properties to enforce the law.

Photo: Contributed - Brenna McLeod

The decision to ban deer feeding and impose the fines was reached by Penticton City Council at Monday’s meeting in an attempt to crack down on the growing deer population.

“What we are hoping for is the fine is a last resort and that education will prevail,” said Councillor Judy Sentes.  “It’s not healthy for the deer to be in the city and we have to make a statement.”

According to the bylaw, people cannot feed deer either directly or indirectly by leaving food out in their front or backyards.

Exceptions include farm operations, fruit or vegetable gardening for human consumption, or ornamental plants or flowers.

Enforcement officers will also be allowed onto properties to ensure the animals are not being fed and are not raising safety concerns.

Penticton resident Tammy Semple agrees with the ban, but expressed some concerns about the fines.

“I guess it makes sense to keep the deer out of the city and in their natural surroundings,” she said. “But the fine seems a little high. It surprises me.”

The ban on deer feeding follows on the heels of the council’s decision to capture and cull deer in the city.

The number of animals to be culled will not be determined until a deer count is conducted in the city.

“Staff is looking at how the count could proceed,” said Councillor Wes Hopkin. “We have to have a baseline before we can proceed.”

Jill Ward of Penticton approves the steps the city has taken to date.

“I absolutely don’t think they should be fed, because we are interfering in nature’s process,” she said.