A City Near Toronto Is Warning People To Stop Feeding Wild Animals & You Could Get Fined

You know spring is just around the corner when you see more cute and cuddly animals in Ontario. But you might want to think twice about feeding them.

On Thursday, April 7, the City of Mississauga warned the public about feeding wildlife as animals like chipmunks, squirrels and robins are becoming dependent on humans for food.

"If you're feeding wild animals food like bread, nuts or leftovers, chances are, someone else is too. It only conditions these animals to rely on humans to provide them food," the City said.

According to the City, you could face a minimum $300 fine under the Animal Care and Control By-law for feeding wildlife. This also applies to anyone who leaves food out or tosses out their food waste in natural areas.

But there are other reasons why feeding these animals could prove harmful. Here's what the city had to say about why it's bad for wildlife:

• More diseases could be spread as feeding animals may cause them to gather in large groups when food is easily available to them
• Animals could also start to be more comfortable around people, and start to approach you due to a lack of fear
• Wildlife can also get sick because they may stop looking for food naturally and start to depend on artificial sources of food

Think it won't affect you? Think again, because the City also listed a bunch of negative impacts that feeding wildlife can have on people.

So you might want to think twice before feeding those ducks.