There are very few protections for peafowl and current law allows to people to remove or relocate birds as long as it is done humanely.
SAN ANTONIO — A city council committee is taking up a proposed ordinance to further protect free-roaming peafowl as well as establish San Antonio as a bird sanctuary.
The proposal was the subject of discussion at Tuesday’s Public Safety Committee meeting. The proposal is from District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito, who filed a Council Consideration Request on the issue earlier this year.
Peafowl, which includes peacocks and peahens, were brought to San Antonio decades ago and have since become free-roaming in the streets of several northwest-side neighborhoods. There are very few protections for these birds and current law allows to people to remove or relocate birds as long as it is done humanely.
Back in February, several neighbors in a northwest-side area were upset when someone was caught on camera making off with one of the birds in their van.
The law does, however, prevent people from selling peafowl, and they are protected by animal cruelty laws.
Gavito’s proposal calls for an ordinance to only allow licensed or permitted handlers to remove and relocate peafowl to ensure their safety. It also calls for Animal Care Services (ACS) to only capture, remove or relocate peafowl after community input is taken into consideration.
Gavito was joined at Tuesday’s meeting by Assistant City Manager David W. McCary and Interim ACS Director Michael Shannon for a briefing on the peafowl proposal, according to the agenda.
The proposal also includes adding San Antonio as a “bird sanctuary” where the capture, killing, shooting, trapping, removal, or relocation of birds is not permitted by anyone who is untrained or unlicensed.
If you suspect someone of cruel treatment call 311. If you come across an injured bird, call the wildlife rescue at 830-336-2725.