After a reported incident in the Village that may have involved the inhumane treatment of birds, the Council adopted policy establishing the Village as a “Bird Refuge” to set forth rules and regulations for the protection and preservation of birds in our “Village of Parks”. Bird Refuges are natural areas that advocate the conservation of various bird species and their natural habitats. The intent is to promote rehabilitation and survival of the bird species.
Ordinance No. 2020-02 creates Section 15-2 of the Code of Ordinances and provides that no person "shall molest, harm, frighten, kill, net, trap, snare, hunt, chase, shoot, throw or propel by any means missiles at any bird roaming free in the Village nor shall any person remove or molest the nest or eggs of a bird." According to the ordinance, a bird is defined as a “warm-blooded, egg laying vertebrate of the class Aves, distinguished by the possession of feathers, wings, a beak and typically, being able to fly. These species include not only chickens, ducks and peacocks, but all species of birds, even if a specie does not have a natural habitat within the borders of the Village."
This provision is not intended to affect:
- Birds raised in captivity for human consumption.
- Individuals or entities duly licensed by the State of Florida to humanly euthanize Muscovy ducks.
- The removal and live transport by Miami-Dade Animal Control of ducks, chickens or other fowl from any Village park upon numerous complaints made to the Parks Director that nuisance or aggressive behavior is being exhibited.
Under the new policy, all individuals who possess a valid government-issued permit or license permitting the capturing, caging or transport of any bird species are required to register with the Village Clerk and provide copies of all permits to be kept on file with the Village.
Any person, firm or entity knowingly violating any provision of this Section 15-02 for which another penalty is not specifically provided for under the laws of the State shall, upon conviction of an act prohibited by this Section 15-2, be subject to a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for each and every offense.
