Judge Sims: No more feeding the raccoons in Bethlehem
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WHEELING -- Ohio County Circuit Judge David Sims on Thursday granted a temporary restraining order that directs Bethlehem residents Arvindi and Bharati Patel, who live on Renaissance Way, to halt their alleged feeding of wildlife, specifically raccoons, on and around their property.
The action -- announced Friday by the Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office -- came after the prosecutor’s office, on behalf of the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, argued before Sims that the Patel’s alleged actions, which they said have been ongoing since 2011, creates a public health nuisance. Ohio County Health Officer Dr. William S. Przybysz also filed an action in conjunction with the temporary restraining order to restrain, prevent and abate a public nuisance.
The Patels are ordered to “clean up and remove all food provisions on their property that been previously provided to wildlife,” according to the restraining order. “Any violations of this temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction shall result in the possible levy of fines and/or other sanctions against the defendants.”
The preliminary order is in effect for 60 days, Sims ruled. A hearing date for the Patels will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
According to information from the health department, “if any future ground feeding activity is witnessed, residents in the neighboring area are encouraged to report this activity” to the health department at 304-234-3682.
The matter first came to the public’s attention several weeks ago when residents of Renaissance Way photographed several dozen raccoons allegedly fed by the Patels gathered in the neighborhood. They said the Patels dumped dog and cat food to attract the animals.