Animal lover fined £100 - for feeding swans in Coventry park

[dutchman]

The man was told that giving the birds food was littering before the police were called in



A kind-hearted man has been fined £100 for feeding swans at a Coventry park - and the council enforcement officer also called the police!

Michael Rennie had took it upon himself to feed the treasured birds at Quinton park after they had started wandering across a busy road searching for food.

On the advice of the RSPB, the 63-year-old had began giving them grain and lettuce - but was approached by one of the council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer yesterday and slapped with two £50 penalty notices - for “depositing litter”.

Mr Rennie refused to give his details to the Coventry City Council employee after he asked her for some ID, which was also refused, and police were called.

Officers eventually arrived but West Midlands Police confirmed that no action was taken.

Mr Rennie, who says he suffers from episodes of dementia, said he plans to contest the fines, which the council say are part of their battle to “protect wildlife and ensure parks can be enjoyed by local residents”.

The retired cleaner and driver told the Telegraph: “Since before Christmas the swans at Quinton Park have been coming out of the water, up the bank and across the busy road to eat the longer grass. The grass around the pool is not much more than mud.

“Concerned about the swans’ safety and road users - a road accident was waiting to happen - I contacted the RSPB and they told me it was probably due to the fact they were hungry caused by the weather.

“I asked what I could do and they said that I could support their feeding, giving suggestions of grain and lettuce.

“Since then that is what I have been doing, along with other concerned members of the public.

“On Wednesday, while feeding the swans grain and chopped up lettuce, I was approached by an officer from Coventry City Council who told me not to feed the swans, then promptly issued a fixed penalty notice for £50.

“The offence was depositing litter because she said it clearly says everywhere not to feed the birds. But I feed the swans who are protected.

“Then 30 minutes later I scattered some grain into the water and she issued another penalty notice for £50 - so in 30 minuets I had been fined £100 because I was feeding the swans.”

Mr Rennie immediately went to the Council House and spoke with an environmental officer who agreed with the penalty notices being issued.

“I am 63 years old and retired through ill health,” said Mr Rennie. “I have worked all my life and am really concerned about the swans and that’s what happened.

“Also when the officer approached me I did not know who she was, so I asked for some ID.

“She refused and told me I could not see that until I gave her my name. I refused so she called the police who turned up 30 minutes later, but by then she knew my name and details.”

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “We have a range of beautiful parks across the city and we have to ensure the correct balance is kept to help protect the different forms of wildlife and to ensure the parks can be enjoyed by local residents.

“In some areas, such as Coombe, we actually sell food for the swans and ducks and encourage responsible feeding. In other areas, this has to be restricted.

“At Quinton Park there are large numbers of birds roosting in the area, mainly geese, and we have put signs in place stating that the birds should not be fed and that fixed penalty notices will be issued as feeding is considered littering.

“In one incident recently, our Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers saw a man feeding the wildlife with large amounts of lettuce and asked if he had seen the signs.

“He confirmed he had and the officers tried to issue a fixed penalty notice, but he refused to give his details.

[rebbonk]

Whilst I don't know the full facts, this stinks of a high handed attitude by the council.

Speaking personally, I'd rather that the council employed people to tackle far greater issues that face the city.

[dutchman]

The funny thing is if a crowd of youths gather in the area you won't see a council enforcement officer or a copper for dust!

[dutchman]

Deal struck after bird lover fined £100 for feeding swans at Coventry park



A compromise has been struck between a pensioner and council chiefs after he was fined £100 for feeding swans.

Police were called after Michael Rennie was handed two penalty notices for feeding the birds at Quinton Park, in Cheylesmore.

He was told his actions constituted “depositing litter” and was handed two £50 fines.

The 63-year-old retired cleaner and driver said he had no intentions to pay the money, but has come to an agreement that he will pay one of the fines, and in return the council will drop the other penalty.

He told the Telegraph that since the run-in with a Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer earlier this month, he only throws the food in to the water at Quinton Park, which is deemed acceptable.

Cllr Roger Bailey, who has acted as a mediator between Mr Rennie and council officers, said: “The problem we have at Quinton Pool is growth in the local bird population, trying to feed on an inadequate natural environment.

“In the past some people were feeding the wrong sort of food to them, often bread, which has now also encouraged an increase in the rat population.

“Saying this, Mr Rennie’s intentions were honourable and he clearly cared about the local swans, like I do, as do many other local people.

“I will do everything I can do to help them and, with the help of local people, keep an eye on them.

“Understanding the situation, I have negotiated a compromise between Mr Rennie and Coventry City Council, which both sides have agreed to and will resolve the current situation for him.”