Rio Rancho may limit pigeon feeding

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Rio Rancho residents saying they are fed up with pigeon waste are getting support in a proposed city ordinance.

The ordinance being considered by the Rio Rancho City Council threatens to cite anyone who feeds excessive numbers of the birds.

The ordinance language says large numbers of the pigeons add to a big amount of waste that damages property and could potentially sicken people.

It also goes on to say that police can search property with owner consent if the feral pigeons have become a nuisance near the homes.

At Wednesday night's meeting, councilors along with Mayor Tom Swisstack said they will revisit the proposal at next week's meeting.

Some Rio Rancho residents have mixed emotions on how to deal with the pigeons.

"I agree with that because they are really a nuisance," said Gloria Williams. "They're everywhere, and people feed them, and that attracts cockroaches and other bugs."

"I think it's kind of silly," says Lisa Coleman. "I don't know how I would feed the birds in my yard and regulate whether or not a pigeon eats at my feeder. I think that would be quite impossible."

The ordinance does specify that pigeons can still eat from feeders so long as it doesn't attract a large number of them.

Also at the meeting, councilors discussed possibly getting the Department of Game and Fish involved in relocating the birds outside of the city.