Mississauga reminding residents not to feed wildlife after piles of meat found in parks

The City of Mississauga is reminding residents not to feed wildlife after receiving reports that piles of meat had been dumped in its parks and greenspaces.

The City of Mississauga is reminding residents not to feed wildlife after receiving reports that piles of meat had been dumped in its parks and greenspaces.

In an statement emailed to Global News, Parathan Mohanarajan, a public education officer with Mississauga’s animal services department, said the city has received reports that meat roasts, ground beef, “piles” of chicken, pulled pork and dog food have been found.

“On Monday, we received a report of a ball of meat that was dumped in Settler’s Green Park this past weekend,” the statement read. “The resident referred to it as being as big as a bowling ball.”

According to Mohanarajan, this is not isolated to public properties.

“We are receiving concerns of meat and other food items being left near private properties like residential buildings,” he said.

Mohanarajan said the department often receives calls that people have dumped peanuts or other nuts, bird seed or bread.

“Animal Services has documented large amounts of meat and dog food in a number of areas,” the statement said. “There have always been concerns of members of the public dumping food to attract wildlife in the city’s green spaces, trails, and parks. However, Animal Services has not seen this level of wildlife feeding where large amounts of food are being dumped over a sustained period of time across Mississauga.”

Mohanarajan said these do not appear to be isolated incidents.