The City of Toronto is considering amending the Animal Bylaw to ban the feeding of most wildlife on private and public property. See the details here: Animal Bylaw Review .

Clearly this is a mean-spirited proposal. Wild animals in the city already must cope with climate change, development, other human activity, and sometimes deliberate cruelty. Helping them survive, in winter particularly, by feeding them is beneficial to them and the humans.

There is an argument for banning the feeding of coyotes and other wild canines since there have been reports of coyote attacks on people and small domestic animals. There are no known instances of birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, or other wildlife in Toronto attacking humans or other animals. Banning feeding in public spaces would also be reasonable but allowing residents to feed birds and mammals on their own property can be justified.

The reasons given for the ban are vague and not quantified. For example:

“Animals congregating in large numbers where they are being fed, which increases the likelihood of diseases and parasites being prevalent, resulting them being a nuisance to the area”

Possible diseases that affect humans?

Rabies? Since reporting began in 1924, a total of 25 people in six provinces have died of rabies in Canada Public Health Canada.That is one every four years.

Roundworm from raccoons?  Fifteen human infections have been reported since the first such case was documented in 1984 Canadian Medical Association Journal.That is less than one per year.

Another reason:

 “Attracting of unwanted animals” – what animals are unwanted? Toronto is their city, too.

Mayor Tory and City Council: Limit the ban of feeding to canine species and all public spaces.