Woman Fined £150 for Feeding Pigeon a Tortilla Wrap in Manchester
A young woman has spoken out about the shocking moment she was slapped with a £150 fine for feeding a pigeon a small piece of tortilla wrap in Manchester. Sam Elkin, 23, from Southport, was celebrating her birthday with her partner in the city on March 9 when the incident occurred in Piccadilly Gardens, as reported by BBC.
Unexpected Fine for a Simple Act
Sam told BBC Manchester that she was sitting with her partner, enjoying a McDonald's wrap, when she tore off a piece and placed it on the ground for an approaching pigeon. Almost immediately, a council enforcement officer approached and issued her a £150 fine for littering. The food was literally gone—the pigeons ate it and left—before he even approached us really, Sam said. It was shocking; I got really upset.
She explained that she had no idea feeding a bird was an offence in the city centre. I didn't think twice about it because I always used to feed the birds in Southport, Sam added, highlighting her lack of awareness about local regulations.
Feeling Vulnerable and Defenseless
The incident left Sam feeling quite vulnerable, especially given the circumstances. It was quite scary, to be honest, because I'm only short and the person that approached me was 6 foot-odd—and my partner's in a wheelchair, so I did feel quite vulnerable in that moment, she recounted. This sense of intimidation compounded her distress over the fine.
Sam tried to reason with the officer, pointing out that the offending litter was already consumed by the pigeons. I pointed it out to him and said, 'Look at the floor, this discarded food that you're talking about is already long gone', she stated. However, her appeals fell on deaf ears.
Financial Strain and Broader Implications
Adding to her frustration, Sam and her disabled partner are living on a shoestring budget after recently moving to a new home in Huddersfield. We've only recently moved—like, we've still not got our furniture—to be hit with a fine like that, especially for something as simple as feeding a bird..., she lamented. I mean, there are bigger things going on in the world.
She also revealed that she was unaware she was being issued a fine when she handed over her ID. I thought he said he would just give us a warning and then he asked for my ID and obviously I handed it over, not thinking, but then as soon as he took my details, that was it—and it was a £150 fine, Sam explained, feeling misled by the process.
This case raises questions about the enforcement of littering laws and the appropriateness of fines for minor acts, sparking debate on public space regulations in urban areas.
