Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) received 414 public littering complaints last year, many of which were linked to people feeding pigeons and crows.
MBSP councillor Derick Chong Wei Hoong said following investigations and enforcement action, the city council issued 61 notices and compounds to individuals caught feeding the birds.
He said other efforts to address the issue included 30 operations to capture the birds and the installation of signboards at hotspots to warn the public against feeding birds in public areas.
In a recent case, an 80-year-old man in Taman Mesra, Butterworth, was issued a RM250 fine for littering outside his home when he fed pigeons.
A video showed the man scattering food on the ground as hundreds of pigeons swarmed around him.
This was despite the city council erecting a sign in January and distributing brochures to residents, prohibiting the feeding of pigeons and crows.
Chong said the man was issued a compound under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
He said the city council was urging the public to refrain from feeding crows and pigeons as it would result in public nuisance and poor environmental hygiene.
“Under Section 82 (5) of the Local Government Act 1976, failure to adhere to a nuisance removal notice could result in a fine of up to RM1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
“The situation, particularly in areas like Taman Mesra, is at a critical stage.
“This year, we have conducted two pigeon-catching operations, with two signboards installed and 10 more in the works,” said Chong.
“We urge the public to cooperate and stop feeding the pigeons,” he added.
