Mahwah prohibits feeding unconfined wildlife in any public park or on township-owned or operated property. Violations carry fines up to $100 or up to ten days in county jail, with confined zoo, park, and rehabilitation animals exempt from the rule.
Mahwah Township enacted a wildlife feeding prohibition to protect public health, safety, and welfare. No person shall feed any unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township of Mahwah. Confined wildlife in zoos, parks, rehabilitation centers, and unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers are exempt. The Mahwah Police Department enforces the ordinance. Violators must cease feeding immediately upon order and face a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $100, or imprisonment up to ten days in the County jail, or both.
Placing food, scraps, or feed accessible to deer, geese, bears, or other wildlife on township parks or municipal property is a violation. Continued feeding after a cease order issued by police escalates penalties under the ordinance.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle wildlife feeding.
See how Mahwah's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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