Fined £75 for feeding ducks

A mother has been fined £75 for feeding ducks in a Black Country park with her toddler son.

Vanessa Kelly had taken her 17-month-old son Harry on his weekly visit to feed ducks in Smethwick Hall Park when she was approached by a council warden.

She put away the bread as soon as the warden told her duck feeding was not allowed in the park, in Londonderry Lane.

But the warden then pulled out a hand-held computer and issued her with a fine for littering.

Miss Kelly, who was in the park at 4pm on Tuesday, claims she was then told by the warden that her son could continue to thrown the bread "as he is too young to prosecute".

She said: "We were both throwing crumbs to the ducks as the warden approached.

"I didn't think anything of it and certainly didn't think we were doing anything wrong, which is why I was surprised when she stopped me.

"She explained that it was banned because it could attract vermin, and I said it was fair enough and fastened the bag.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when she then pulled out a little computer and started to issue a ticket.

"To be fined £75 for taking your child to feed the ducks is an absolute disgrace. I will be fighting this fine all the way."

The 26-year-old, of Marshall Road, Oldbury, said that although there was a sign in the park warning of the dangers of "overfeeding" the birds there was no signs warning that people could be fined.

But Sandwell Council today defended the fine to Miss Kelly for dropping bread, claiming it attracts rats.

Councillor Mahboob Hussain, the council's neighbourhood boss defended the decision to prosecute people feeding ducks and birds, saying residents had been made aware of the council's stance.

He said: "We have done a lot of educational work to get this message across and we have warned people that they are not to feed pigeons and wildfowl other than in designated areas.

"We get many complaints across Sandwell about the feeding of pigeons and wildfowl. We take this very seriously and are acting upon these complaints."

Miss Kelly has now made an official complaint to the authority.