On a regular basis is Thanksgiving dinner for a rising flock of pigeons close to an Higher West Aspect subway station.
For individuals simply passing via, it’s a curiosity. However for individuals who dwell within the neighborhood, the all-day buffet for the birds is creating an all-night feast for rats, and the locals wish to put a cease to the feeding frenzy.
A neighborhood chief pins the blame lies squarely on these leaving meals for the birds, as a result of that’s attracting the rodents and permitting them to run amok close to the nook of 96th Avenue and Broadway, the place the 1/2/3 trains run.
“When you feed the pigeons, you’re going to bring the rats because they like the same grain. The same seeds,” stated Councilmember Gale Brewer, who represents the Higher West Aspect.
Brewer stated the pigeon downside begins every day within the morning. That is when animal lovers, a few of whom have been seen on video, feed the birds. However each night, there are leftovers — and the result’s a feast for rats.
“The rats are behind you, they simply come out and if there’s meals by your foot they go proper by your foot. They aren’t even petrified of people,” stated Deborah Kelly.
One other native resident, Susan Lawrence, stated she has had a rat come proper throughout her foot because it was going for the leftover meals.
Brewer stated she has pleaded with the Mayor Eric Adams administration, writing a letter asking for measures to stop the feeding of pigeons. Nevertheless, the town’s Well being Division responded by saying that it’s not unlawful to feed pigeons or different wildlife.
“I was a little surprised there was nothing that could be done to stop people from feeding them,” stated Brewer.
Although some New Yorkers do not thoughts sharing the house with pigeons, others say it reminds them an excessive amount of of of an Alfred Hitchcock film. And the rats? They’re for the birds.
“I think they are flying rats and they should do something about it,” stated Sheila Mitchell, who lives on the Higher West Aspect.
Earlier in August, Mayor Adams touted a number of months straight of lowering rat sightings primarily based on 311 complaints. Numerous the neighbors within the space wish to see a extra intense presence of Well being and Parks Division workers to dissuade individuals feeding birds.
