Southaven, MS Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 3-10 of the Southaven Code is a citywide protection for birds. It is unlawful for any person to kill, wound or injure a bird in any manner whatsoever, to shoot at birds with a gun, pistol, arrow or other deadly weapon, or to set traps or spread nets or snare with the intent to catch or capture any birds of any kind whatsoever, within the corporate limits of the city. The wording covers any birds of any kind, so the section names no protected species list and draws no pest-bird carve-out. A second sentence protects nests: it is unlawful to break, tear down or destroy any bird's nest or the eggs or other contents of the nest.

Two exceptions are printed. The section does not apply to testing performed by the state health department or another agency authorized to test birds and/or their habitats due to a specific public health concern. It also does not apply to the legal hunting of game fowl, as defined by the state, within the city limits.

Other Title III sections touch birds. Section 3-4 bars beating, cruelly ill-treating, tormenting or otherwise abusing an animal, and lets the animal control officer take an abused animal into protective custody. Section 3-18 bars giving away any live mammal, reptile or bird as a prize or as an inducement to enter a contest, place of amusement or business agreement, with exceptions for pet stores working with the animal control division, the humane society or other organizations legitimately adopting out animals. Section 3-23 defines a household animal to include birds and bars selling, trading, bartering, donating or displaying one on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park, playground or private parking lot accessible to the public. Section 3-9(c)(2) leaves birds out of the three-animal pet limit.