Problematic pesky pooping pigeons were the subject of a lengthy discussion at a public hearing during Monday's Mohave County Board of Supervisors meeting. The result of the discussion was a unanimous vote by the supervisors to institute a ban on feeding wild pigeons. 

Anyone caught feeding wild pigeons after the new law goes into effect in 30 days, will face a $100 fine.

Pigeons will be the topic du jour for the Mohave County Board of Supervisors for a third time at a public hearing next month. The decision to revisit the pigeon issue came after a 2-1 vote of the board taken Monday. 

The board voted to reconsider an ordinance it voted into law last month forbidding the feeding of wild pigeons due to a perceived health risk. By law, the issue must now again be the subject of a public hearing which will take place at a board meeting in September. 

Supervisor Carol Anderson requested that the issue be revisited after receiving information from the Western Arizona Urban Wildlife Society (WAUWS) and other pro-pigeon public input. 

"It seemed like we got one side of the issue but we didn't get the whole picture," Anderson said regarding information gathered at last month's hearing. 

Board Chairman Jim Zaborsky sided with Anderson on the issue saying all the information needed to be reviewed before a decision could be made. 

"I'm not sure we've addressed the entire problem," Zaborsky said. "I don't believe just stopping feeding the pigeons is going to make them go away." 

Supervisor Buster Johnson however was adamantly opposed to reopening the issue for discussion. 

"If you don't feed them they're not going to hang around," Johnson said. 

The ordinance passed last month forbids the feeding of wild pigeons. Violators can be fined $100. The law was the result of problems, occurring mostly in Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City, resulting from roosting pigeons and the birds' waste matter which is said to carry disease and can clog building ventilation systems. 

But those opposed to the ordinance, including WAUWS president Mark Short, said a ban on feeding won't solve the problem. Inexpensive building modifications can keep the birds from roosting and causing problems, Short said. 

Others argued that a county-wide ordinance would create a hardship on rural residents who don't have pigeon problems but enjoy feeding wild birds. 

The ordinance will remain enforceable until the board votes otherwise, said County Attorney Bill Ekstrom. 

County Health Department Director Jerry Street unexpectedly resigned Friday after three years on the job. 

In brief letter dated Aug. 15, Street informed County Manager Paul McIntosh of his resignation, effective Sept. 15. Street's letter gives no specific reasons for his leaving county employment.