Edwin Johnson-Flint, 93, fears ASBO for feeding pigeons outside his flat
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.
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Edwin Johnson-Flint
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.
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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
Comments
by victormildew5
Saturday, November 24 2012, 9:38PM
“it is sickening to know that while there are countless cretins going about their crime infested lives with no interrupttion,there will be a couple of jobsworths assigned to undertake surveillance on a pensioner in his 90's,for the unforgivable act of...feeding pigeons....how dare he?”
by andmikel
Saturday, November 24 2012, 9:30PM
“Feeding the pigeons in the park is not littering and the gauleiter who threatened that was acting above his authority. Wherever pigeons are they will roost on buildings and until pigeon pie comes back into vogue they have few natural enemies other than the hawks. I agree that attracting them to a balcony is antisocial but to persecute the man is an abuse of power and could even be a criminal act.”
by roland
Saturday, November 24 2012, 8:05PM
“Typical. The power crazy, cowardly, bully of a commuunity 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.
That's about the limit of your bravery - threatening a vulnerable 93 year old. Pathetic little cretins the lot of them.”
by bestwoodbob
Saturday, November 24 2012, 7:13PM
“Whatever next!!!”
by LestaLM
Saturday, November 24 2012, 6:25PM
“An easy target. No need to "consult with the community" in this case.”
by Chewchewchew
Saturday, November 24 2012, 3:45PM
“I think the problem is that if there is food being dropped on the ground for the pigeons it is likely they are not the only wildlife benefiting from this... rats.”
by captaintooty
Saturday, November 24 2012, 11:47AM
“its just sad that the system picks on an old man, his neighbours should have more respect for his kindness.
Typical of the stupid mentality of Nottingham city council :-(”
by therealmetalmicky
Saturday, November 24 2012, 11:18AM
“The Myth of pigeons spreading diseases everywhere is nonsense, do YOU know anyone who as caught a disease from them? more than likely not, it is mostly pigeon fanciers who get some chest infections which go away after not handling the pigeons for a couple of weeks, I admit the droppings might look nasty and be slippy if left to build up or get wet, a jetwash would clear them easily, and does this old fella have human rights? typical council and city homes spreading much worse than pigeon droppings, it's called b.......t!”
by Conversation
Saturday, November 24 2012, 11:17AM
“Well yes, I agree that it can't be nice to have pigeon poo all over th balconies, not very healthy, also I guess they make alot of noise coo-ing, and flapping around. It saddened me though, that when he said he'd agreed not to feed them at his flat, was told he couldn't feed them in the park either, as it's littering. What a sad world.”
by LestaLM
Saturday, November 24 2012, 10:30AM
“He should have noisy parties, play loud music through the night, groom young girls and deal smack from his flat. He could live for years without being tackled by the "authorities" then.”