Community Corner
Highland Heights May Consider Deer-Feeding Ordinance
A resident raised concerns about deer feeding at the most recent City Council meeting; the Safety and Service Committee will look into the topic
During the Highland Heights City Council meeting Tuesday, a Highland Heights resident suggested to Council do something to deter people from feeding deer.
"If you were to ask a conservationist or a park ranger, they would tell you, 'Don't feed the animals,'" said Ian Scholdberg, who also had sent an email to Council President Cathy Murphy before the meeting.
Scholdberg said that feeding the deer changed their natural habits and could affect their ability to develop necessary foraging skills.
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He also said that, even if the feeders are well-intentioned, they could hurt the deer by making them dependent.
Murphy asked the Safety and Service Committee to look into the subject.
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"I do think we need to be a little concerned about this activity," Murphy said.
Murphy noted that nearby cities like Mayfield Heights and Richmond Heights have ordinances that ban deer feeding.
The deer population is not a new topic in Highland Heights.
In 2011, another city resident attended a meeting and said the deer population was out of control.
In reply, Highland Heights Police Chief James Cook said the city only averaged about two dozen calls regarding deer per year.
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