Feeding pigeons, rats, raccoons, or other wildlife in The Bronx is prohibited under NYC Health Code §161.03 and NYC Parks Rules §1-04(g). Violations carry fines up to $500. Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortlandt Park have enhanced enforcement due to wildlife populations.
Section 161.03 prohibits any conduct that causes or is likely to cause rat infestation, which DOHMH interprets to include outdoor feeding of pigeons, squirrels, feral cats (outside TNR programs), and raccoons. Parks Rule §1-04(g) explicitly bans feeding wildlife on Parks Department property. NYC also runs a legal Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats, which requires ear-tipping and caregiver registration. Bronx wildlife hotspots include Pelham Bay Park (deer, raccoons), Van Cortlandt Park, and the Hutchinson River estuary.
Pigeon feeding: $50-$250. Feeding creating rat condition: $300-$2,000 plus abatement order. Parks violation: $50-$250. Unregistered feral cat feeding: $50 warning to $250.
Bronx County, NY
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Bronx County, NY
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Bronx County, NY
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Bronx County, NY
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See how Bronx County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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