Council takes teenager to court for feeding McDonald’s chip to pigeon

A teenager has been summoned to appear in court after she fed a McDonald’s chip to a pigeon.
Lauren-Paige Smith, 19, was approached by a council worker and given a £25 fine for littering.
She told the official that the pigeon had eaten the chip so there was no litter left.
However, she was still fined.
She refused to pay the cash but has now received a letter summoning her to court on November 15.
She is said to be in breach of Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act.
Lauren said: ‘I was feeding the seagulls and pigeons some of my lunch when a man who worked for the council came out of nowhere and told me I was littering.

‘He asked for my details because he wanted me to pay a £25 fine. I asked him “are you serious?” I was feeding the birds – and they ate all of the chips.
‘But the fine has escalated and now I’m being hauled into court.
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Should people be fined for feeding pigeons?

• Yes! They're flying rats!
• No! This is health and safety gone mad!

‘There’s so much worse things going on in the world. I was only in Swansea because I was doing training for work.’
Lauren’s fine has now escalated to £100 and she is expected at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on November 15.
Her grandfather Lance Brewis, 66, said: ‘It’s madness. Lauren has never been in trouble in her life and they’re summoning her to court for feeding some birds.
‘This is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money. Anybody with an ounce of sense would realise this is ridiculous.
‘There’s needles and syringes everywhere in parks and they choose to fine a young girl for feeding a bird? What a job’s worth.’
Lauren added: ‘I can’t believe I’m being penalised for doing a kind act. I thought it was a wind up.’
Swansea Council has been approached for comment.
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