A 93-YEAR-OLD man has been ordered to stop feeding pigeons after complaints from neighbours.
Edwin Johnson-Flint got into trouble after feeding the birds at his flat in Winchester Court, Sherwood.
Neighbours complained about pigeon droppings on their balconies. One balcony was so contaminated that specialist cleaners had to be brought in.
Nottingham City Homes wrote to Mr Johnson-Flint ten times about the problem, saying he was endangering public health.
He has now been presented with a voluntary acceptable behaviour contract, which he has refused to sign, and ordered to stop feeding the birds.
If he is seen leaving food within a certain area, he risks being given an antisocial behaviour order.
Mr Johnson-Flint says he has agreed to stop feeding the pigeons but still feels victimised.
"They say that if I feed the pigeons again, I am breaking all their rules and regulations," he said. "I have fed them in the past, but not through the window like they say I did.
"It's not just my window that the pigeons land on and yet City Homes are only going after me. I feel victimised."
At a meeting held on Tuesday with Nottingham City Homes and Community Protection – which involves the police and city council – Mr Johnson-Flint promised not to feed the pigeons within the grounds of the high-rise flats, which are on the edge of Woodthorpe Park.
Nottingham City Homes will now send out a copy of the verbal agreement and a map with the boundaries of where Mr Johnson-Flint should not feed the pigeons.
"To me, all animals are God's creatures and I don't understand why they are pursuing this like they are," said Mr Johnson-Flint.
"I've stopped feeding the pigeons off my balcony but I still go to the park and I don't know what harm that is doing.
"It's just a little thing but it's something I enjoy and I feel like I can't do it any more because they will take whatever action against me they want."
Nottingham City Homes, which manages all council houses in the city, is now considering putting up netting.
A spokesman said: "We've repeatedly asked Mr Flint to stop feeding the pigeons but he has continued.
"The problem has become so severe that we are having to consider putting netting up on the outside of Winchester Court to stop the pigeons from landing on the tenants' balconies. That will cost a lot of money and spoil everyone else's enjoyment of the great views and outdoors.
"This man is in his 90s and we have no desire to prosecute him – we just want him to understand that what he is doing is causing a lot of distress to his neighbours and is putting their health at risk. After meeting with him, we hope he understands how serious this is – and we'll be making sure he sticks to his commitment to not feed the birds."
A community protection officer has told Mr Johnson-Flint that if he is caught feeing pigeons elsewhere, such as in the park, he could still face prosecution for littering.
What do you think? Is Nottingham City Homes right? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
