Penalty for Feeding Pigeons in Your Neighborhood
In Russia, feeding pigeons and other birds in residential areas may lead to administrative liability, according to a report by TASS on July 21, 2025. This is based on the applicable laws outlined in Article 8.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
State Duma deputy Sergei Kолунов has not explicitly stated plans to ban feeding stray animals, but the bill he proposed includes a prohibition on doing so in specific residential and public areas. The bill, which is part of broader legislative efforts to regulate the treatment of stray animals, bans feeding stray animals in territories adjacent to medical organizations, cultural and educational facilities, playgrounds, sports grounds, and apartment buildings. The boundaries for these areas are defined according to the Housing Code.
The liability for individuals who violate these sanitary norms can range from 2-3 thousand rubles for the first offense, and 3-5 thousand rubles for repeat offenses. For organizations, the fines can be significantly higher, ranging from 100-250 thousand rubles for the first offense, and 250-400 thousand rubles for repeat offenses. For officials, the fines can range from 10-30 thousand rubles for the first offense, and 30-40 thousand rubles for repeat offenses.
It is important to note that the liability for throwing garbage out of windows or leaving it in stairwells has not been specified in the provided paragraph. Evidence is required to attract responsibility for violations, such as photos, videos, or witness testimony.
The specific sanitary threat that feeding birds may pose was not detailed in the provided paragraph. However, the liability is applicable when feeding poses a threat to sanitary and epidemiological well-being. Submitting a complaint to the managing company is recommended before contacting the police or Rospotrebnadzor for issues related to sanitary norms violations.
The article does not provide information about any potential penalties for violating sanitary norms related to garbage disposal. It is not mentioned whether the laws outlining the liability for violating sanitary norms related to garbage disposal are the same as those outlined in Article 8.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
[1] [Source for the information about the bill banning the capture of stray animals without proper authorization] [2] [Source for the information about fines related to feeding birds near residential buildings if it causes sanitary or epidemiological risks]
Science plays a crucial role in understanding the potential health-and-wellness implications of feeding birds near residential areas. If the activity poses a risk to the sanitary or epidemiological well-being, it falls under the same legislative liabilities as outlined in Article 8.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
In line with the bill proposed by State Duma deputy Sergei Kоlunov, specific areas like medical organizations, cultural and educational facilities, playgrounds, sports grounds, and apartment buildings, may prohibit feeding animals for health-and-wellness reasons, similar to the sanctions for feeding stray animals.
