Rome’s mayor has intervened in a long-running dispute at an apartment block in the city, ordering a woman to stop feeding dozens of pigeons after residents complained of being overwhelmed by feathers, droppings and noise.
For months, the third floor of 108 Via Spartaco has been the centre of a growing nuisance, with a woman dubbed “The Pigeon Lady” by the press, accused of attracting large flocks by regularly placing food on her window ledge. Neighbours say the resulting mess has left pavements impassable, balconies abandoned and cars systematically soiled, with the stench described as “nauseating”.
Local authorities issued a formal ban on feeding the birds after repeated complaints. Speaking to Roma Today via intercom, the woman identified herself as an animal rights activist with the Italian League for Bird Protection, insisting she was rescuing animals in distress rather than feeding them for pleasure. “If I put food out for one pigeon, others were bound to come,” she said, adding that she had now stopped in the hope the birds would disperse.
Residents, however, have provided video footage allegedly showing her continuing to feed the pigeons, despite a municipal bylaw prohibiting the practice. One neighbour told national broadcaster Rai: “She keeps feeding them seeds, bits of ham and chicken, making our lives hell.” Others reported that the birds were breeding rapidly, worsening the problem.
Rocco Ferraro, a city councillor responsible for environmental matters in the metropolitan area, said the infestation had devalued properties and made them difficult to sell. While the city government confirmed there was no direct evidence of health problems, it warned of potential risks.
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has now issued an order banning the feeding of pigeons and other wild birds, and requiring the residents of the third-floor flat to carry out cleaning, sanitation, pest control and disinfection within ten days at their own expense. Failure to comply will result in the VII municipality preparing an intervention plan for the forced execution of the order, with law enforcement involvement if necessary.
A municipal police patrol was dispatched following a complaint that the woman had ignored the mayor’s directive, though media reports state she has not been seen feeding the birds since Thursday.
