Illegal to Feed Squirrels in Aurora, Colorado

Boo, hiss, boo! This really sucks. Aren't we living in the land of the free anymore??? If I was living in Aurora, I'd be in prison for life already for feeding squirrels, skunks, possums, rabbits and giant raccoons. Squirrel saga continues Aurora man won't give up on feeding them by Audra Ensign, News 2 May 10, 2008 AURORA (KWGN) — The controversy continues for an Aurora man who was told by the city that he couldn't feed squirrels in his neighborhood. Now, what first turned out to be a warning could end up being a battle in the courtroom. Mark Golden says he's tried everything to get his point across to the city but isn't having any luck. Golden found out an anonymous complaint turned out to be from someone who doesn't even live in Aurora. "Turns out she lives in Denver, her mother is my next door neighbor," said Golden. The call lead the city to give him a warning of public nuisance for feeding squirrels in his yard. "It's my worst nightmare when someone can call in anonymously from another city about something that strictly pertains to Aurora. I think it's wrong," he explaied. And after finding out about the caller, he confronted the Division of Animal Control. According to Golden if he keeps feeding the squirrels, they said they're taking him to court. "There are no answers for me, I've sat here until two in the morning trying to figure out what I've done to the city to have the city take such a stand." According to the city there isn't an ordinance against feeding squirrels. They say they just don't encourage it. City officials weren't able to talk to us on camera but did send this statement: "We received a call concerning the squirrels, we asked him to move his feeders, that's really all that's happened." "I just want them to dismiss this, to dismiss the complaint, so I can go back to feeding my squirrels," said Golden. The city says feeding the squirrels is a disturbance and endangers the health and safety of the community. If Golden does not comply he could be fined up to one thousand dollars and serve up to a year in jail. Copyright © 2008, KWGN