Featured

By: Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

December 17, 2025

DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL.

Dauphin Island leaders have successfully passed ordinances that strictly prohibit the feeding of wildlife and anyone who violates this new law could face harsh penalties including hefty fines of up to $500 and even jail time.

After months of debate, Dauphin Island town council members passed the controversial ordinance on Monday that makes feeding any wild animal illegal, though some say enforcement of the ordinance may be difficult.

The new ordinance applies to the entire island, not just the west end nature preserve where a long-running fox management dispute previously sparked a lawsuit.

“It came up mainly because of the issues we were having in the far west end. The conservation management plan that we reviewed and found out that we needed to have a no feed ordinance, at least in that part of the island, and then as we got to talking about it as a council we actually looked at doing it island wide which is ultimately what we did,” said Mayor Jeff Collier.

Visitors like Judy Thompason say that this ordinance may prevent some tourists from crossing the bridge because many love feeding all of the beautiful wildlife, like herself who has done so for years.

Some residents say the ordinance goes too far, especially when it comes to animals like cats and seagulls.

However, in other areas of Baldwin County, including the tourist town of Fairhope, similar ordinances have been in place for years.
Ordinance O-1598, making it illegal to intentionally or negligently feed wildlife, especially waterfowl (ducks, geese), to protect public health and the environment; signs are posted in key areas like the beachfront, and enforcement with tickets began in 2019, with penalties for offenders. This ban aims to prevent animals from becoming human-dependent and aggressive, creating nuisance issues.

It is not clear how Dauphin Island law enforcement will determine intent on feeding wildlife versus domestic animals. The ordinance does list exceptions, such as bird feeders and activities conducted by state and federal agencies.

Some locals and visitors have also wondered if they’ll be a period where just warnings will be issued.

“Obviously there will probably be a learning curve as it is with any new regulation. But I think our law enforcement agency will be able to discern that. That’ll be up to them, no different than when they’re out doing speed limit checks and things of that nature,” Collier said.

Town leaders say the goal is not punishment but prevention. They say enforcement will focus on education first, especially for visitors.

“Even though it’s sort of human nature to want to feed wildlife, studies show it does a disservice to the animals,” Collier said.

Fox trapping on Dauphin Island is actively happening also and continues to be very controversial, as the town works with federal agencies (APHIS) to remove foxes from the west end to protect endangered sea turtles and birds, using trapping as part of a broader plan after other methods failed, though residents debate humane treatment, and more threats of more lawsuits to come.

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