Ohio Woman, 73, Jailed For Feeding Pigeons

MARTINS FERRY, Ohio—A 73-year-old woman spent a week in jail for ignoring a judge’s orders to stop feeding flocks of pigeons in her backyard.

Anna Stahanczyk promised a judge in 2001 she would quit putting out seed for the birds, but neighbors complained last year that she was doing it again, said Belmont County Prosecutor Chris Berhalter. The neighbors videotaped Stahanczyk buying and spreading seed, Berhalter said.

“We’re talking about hundreds and hundreds of pigeons,” he said. 

Belmont County Northern Division Judge Frank Fregiato warned Stahanczyk last year to stop, but the neighbors in the southeastern Ohio town of Bridgeport again caught her on tape, Berhalter said. Last month, Fregiato found her guilty of violating a public health statute, gave her a 60-day suspended sentence and ordered a mental evaluation.

“The court was concerned that she didn’t understand what was going on,” Berhalter said.

Stahanczyk was booked into the Belmont County Jail on Jan. 26 and was held separately from other inmates until her lawyer convinced Fregiato that Stahanczyk was of sound mind. She was released on Wednesday.

“It’s not why we build jails, it’s not why I prosecute crime, but I think the court was left with no other options here,” Berhalter said.

No phone listing for Stahanczyk could be found.

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