Do Not Feed The Birds In Prospect Heights

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 4, 2008 5:09PM

A Prospect Heights couple learned the hard way that not everyone likes the varied wildlife northern Illinois has to offer. Circuit Court Judge Alfred Levinson ordered Halina and Richard Rogulsk to remove their five birdfeeders and not put out any birdseed for six months. According to neighbors, the setup had attracted an overload of local animals, creating a health hazards.

The couple, of course, are not happy about the decision:

Richard Rogulski, 76, a Polish immigrant who also spent three years in a labor camp during World War II and earned a bronze star serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, said residents should expect to see animals in the neighborhood. "It's like they suddenly discovered that there are animals: 'Oh! A raccoon walked through our yard!'"

The most poignant aspect of the story?

"I was born in communist Russia, and in Russia, there was no freedom to pray . . . but not the birds. We could feed the birds," said Halina Rogulski, 73, a Polish immigrant who came to the United States after spending three years as a child in a German labor camp during World War II.

The Rogulskis had also set out a dish of bird food and scattered bread for local ducks. They were originally cited last fall and paid a $100 fine in January, which they were appealing. Any violation of the current order would result in a fine of $500 a day. [Tribune]

Image by Paul Delau via redwitch86x