Feeding deer, raccoons, geese, or feral animals on Indianapolis property is treated as a nuisance when it attracts pests or wildlife, and Indiana DNR rules ban deer feeding in CWD management zones.
Indianapolis-Marion County Code Chapter 531 lets Animal Care Services declare a public nuisance when residents intentionally feed wildlife in ways that draw rats, raccoons, or coyotes onto neighboring property. The ordinance pairs with Marion County Public Health rules on rodent harborage. State law adds another layer: Indiana DNR rule 312 IAC 9-3-18.5 prohibits deer baiting and feeding in disease management zones, and migratory waterfowl feeding is discouraged statewide. Indy parks (Chapter 581) ban feeding of geese, ducks, and squirrels at lakes such as Eagle Creek and Geist. Birdfeeders for songbirds remain allowed if clean and rodent-proof.
Nuisance abatement notice, ordinance fines up to $2,500, parks citation, and Indiana DNR civil penalties for deer feeding violations under 312 IAC 9.
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