Readers Respond -- Balboa Island situation not so ducky

There’s an acceptable, unhealthy and a huge stinky duck mess that

people aren’t even walking the canal anymore (“Newport Beach trying to

duck the law,” Tuesday). I have friends, including my husband and I, that

don’t want to walk by the ducks.

It’s just way too bad of a problem and I believe that the animal

control needs to follow through with the fines because the laws have

already been passed to go ahead and reinforce those laws with fines for

anyone on the Grand Canal.

I’ve been involved in making some calls already and I see the downfall

of not following through with the fines.

As a past Lake Forest resident, we did have duck problems and

relocation was very successful. I don’t know who’s in charge but they

could find out from Lake Forest. They have had a past history of

relocating and it was successful. I know they fed the birds and there was

something in them to temporarily render them being a little bit lazy and

they were able to be collected gently and they were taken to another

location. So it is possible and it did work and the problem did not

reoccur.

DIANA WARNER

Balboa Island

Regarding the ducks on Balboa Island, I know about ducks. Ducks are

all about food and making baby ducks. If there is no food where they are

relocated to, they will get back to Newport Beach before the truck gets

back that delivers them.

PETER HOWASER

Newport Beach

My opinion is the people problem. It’s a resident problem. Every year

somebody goes and feeds the ducks by the bucket. It’s not even visiting

people. It’s a resident of Grand Canal who has nothing to do but feed the

ducks.

ACEPHY PESHEK

Balboa Island

It’s an ongoing problem, it’s really become a terrible problem for all

involved. I’m a little mystified why, when we have an ordinance on the

books, it can’t be enforced.

I have actually seen the woman, who I think is the cause of all this,

and I’ve actually spoken to her and reminded her that this is really

against the law now for her to be doing what she’s doing as she’s out

there feeding the ducks.

The smells -- you just want to avoid walking down the area now and she

just glares like you’re a fool for bringing it up. I don’t know why we

can’t just have her cease and desist, but if we can’t, I’m all for

relocating the ducks.

I think it’s unhealthy for them and for humans and I for one would

very much like to see the problem solved, in whatever way was humane for

the ducks but humane for humans as well.

ROBIN ROGERS

Balboa Island

I just read the article on Newport Beach trying to duck the law. I

think the article was well written. We can get the ducks relocated and

that’s fine, I think they should not be here. We’re not doing anybody any

favors.

But I think the bigger question is what can we do to stop people from

feeding these ducks because if the ducks aren’t fed, they’re not going to

come back here once they’re relocated. I guess that’s the larger issue. I

do live on the peninsula in Newport Beach and we’ve got a duck problem

down here, too.

It’s not just the Grand Canal on Balboa Island. I think the City

Council recently passed some sort of an ordinance where it’s supposed to

be against the law to be feeding the ducks. What has the City Council

done about enforcing the law? You can put laws in place all day long, but

if they’re not enforced, what good is it?

MICHAEL CARDEN

Newport Beach

The ducks on the Grand Canal are a serious menace, health concern and

problem for all of us who live there and for the guests who visit.

Primarily, this is due to one woman who refuses to abide by the recently

passed city ordinance regarding the feeding of the ducks. She feeds the

ducks throughout the day, everyday. She has been cited twice to my

knowledge and has torn up the citations in the face of those who have

served them.

As a result, we have a gang of rag tag ducks who defecate on the

sidewalks, docks and sea walls. Since she only hoses her dock, the

surrounding areas are just filthy. Even with her attempts to clean her

area, there is the ever-present smell of urine and filth. Children, pets

and adults all walk through this everyday.

Since she cannot cease feeding, we need to remove the ducks. This

saltwater environment is not their normal living environment. We are not

a bird sanctuary, nor is her backyard a freshwater pond. Because of the

inconsiderate behavior of one person, we are all experiencing the

negative side to the domestication of wild animals.

Please do the right thing. Please remove the ducks and place them in

their natural habitat.

SUE BUETTELL

Balboa Island