Berkeley Lake to vote on wildlife law

By Shane Blatt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Berkeley Lake City Council is expected to vote Thursday night on a controversial ordinance that would clamp down on wildlife feeding citywide.

The ordinance, likely the first of its kind in Georgia, would impose fines of up to $1,000 for willfully feeding animals, from chipmunks to vultures. The exceptions: fish and songbirds.

The proposed law has undergone dozens of revisions since it was introduced in March after a rash of feedings.

Proponents argue the ordinance would break the animals' dependence on artificial food sources and curb potentially dangerous encounters between animals and residents. But opponents contend the proposal is too restrictive -- or simply unnecessary.

The meeting starts at 8 p.m. at City Hall.