Answer Man: Is it legal to feed pigeons? Are they unhealthy?

Today’s burning question, my smart-aleck answer and the real deal:

Question: Is it legal to feed pigeons in downtown Asheville in an area heavily trafficked by pedestrians? It seems like it would be really unsanitary.There’s a guy that feeds the pigeons bread all the time in the alleys right by the “Pit of Despair” off Haywood Street, and we have to walk right through them all — and their poop. It also seems like all the bread would attract rodents. Can’t the city do something?

My answer: I suspect I may soon get a question along the lines of, "There's a guy with a shotgun who hangs around the guy feeding pigeons. I suspect this ultimately may become unhealthy for the pigeons? Should we organize a support group for the pigeons?"

Real answer: It looks like it would be tough to stop someone from doing this. On a personal note, I've had to walk through the pigeon gauntlet on numerous occasions myself, and the man feeding them said he's tried a couple of different locations, but folks complain wherever he does it.

"They'll be gone in about 15 minutes," he told me when I was snapping photos.

He could probably solve the problem if he would just feed the birds at a time when everyone isn't walking to work, say at 10:30 a.m., or so.

Now, on to the official answers.

"As far as I know it is not illegal to feed pigeons, or any birds, in Asheville," said Christina Hallingse, spokeswoman for the Asheville Police Department.

Joey Robison, a spokeswoman for the city, referred me to a section of the municipal code, which prohibits "the keeping of any animal in such manner or in such numbers as to constitute a public nuisance." The part pertinent to pigeons and "public nuisance" says this is prohibited:

"The keeping, possession, harboring or feeding of animals; wild, feral or domesticated, which threaten the public health, safety and welfare of the community; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit keeping or maintaining a bird feeder, or from feeding birds, unless said activity constitutes an attractant and its cessation is ordered by the animal control officer pursuant to this chapter."

As this guy isn't "keeping" the pigeons, I'd say he's inside the law, although it could fall into the "attractant" category.

As far as the health threat, I checked in with Buncombe County Health and Human Services.

"We do not have any regulations to prevent people from feeding pigeons," said Jessica Silver, environmental health director. "I would strongly recommend hand washing immediately following the feeding but have no enforcement authority in the recommendation."

Dr. Jennifer L. Mullendore, Buncombe County medical director, said pigeon and other bird droppings "may pose a small health risk. Pigeon droppings are known to be associated with three human diseases: histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis."

Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus that can grow in pigeon droppings. When cleaning pigeon droppings, people may breathe in some of the fungus. If they breathe in a large amount, it can cause infection. Infection is more likely in persons with weakened immune systems, with symptoms appearing about 10 days after initial infection and including fatigue, fever, and chest pains. Most people who are infected have no symptoms or only have a mild respiratory illness. It cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Cryptococcosis, another fungal disease related to pigeon droppings, is very unlikely to infect healthy people, even at high levels of exposure to the fungus.  Most cases occur in people who have weakened immune systems, Mullendore said.

Psittacosis is a rare bacterial disease that mainly affects parrots, parakeets, and parrot-like birds such as cockatiels, but it can affect pigeons. When bird droppings dry and particles get blown into the air, people may inhale them and get sick. It would be very rare that someone would get this infection from outdoor exposure to pigeon droppings. Those most at risk are bird owners, pet shop employees, veterinarians, and people with weakened immune systems. Psittacosis is not spread person-to-person.

"So, the bottom line is that the general public does not need to worry about catching any of these diseases from routine cleaning of pigeon droppings on their windowsills or porches, or from walking through an area with a large amount of droppings," Dr. Mullendore said. "However, workers who are involved in extensive cleaning of pigeon/bird droppings should wear protective gear like coveralls, boots, gloves and respirators. Those with weakened immune systems should not be directly involved in the removal of droppings. And everyone should wash hands and any exposed skin before eating or drinking and when finished with cleaning up droppings."

This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com.