(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
January 20, 2015 - 2:54 PM
KAMLOOPS – One Kamloops resident has taken her support online to rally behind a man who faces fines for feeding crows in his Valleyview neighbourhood.
“Please support Toby Jackson as he champions our liberty to care for our fellow beings,” writes Emmy Logan on a petition website. “(He) is being persecuted by a single complainant and a zealous bureaucracy that are opposed to his compassionate activities.”
The petition, titled City of Kamloops: Don’t take man to court for feeding crows has received 455 signatures from locals in Kamloops and around the world. The goal of the petition is to reach 1,000 signatures.
Notes from the signees call the City’s bylaw “petty and ridiculous,” while others applaud Jackson for his efforts to learn more about the birds in his neighbourhood.
Michelle Campbell writes “This is silly. We fine people for cruelty to animals, not for kindness. If he is indeed staying away from the only complaining neighbour, leave the poor retired fellow alone.”
Another commenter who did not provide their name said they were one of Jackson’s neighbours disappointed with the City’s decision to fine him, adding that they also feed the birds nearby.
Jackson faces $300 in fines after being ticketed twice for allegedly breaking the bylaw.
The bylaw is complaint-based due to nuisance caused by directing an animal prescence to private property.
Jackson will appear in court on Jan. 29.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015