A 77-year-old woman in the Swiss city of Lausanne who illegally fed pigeons starved by Switzerland’s legendary cleanliness has been fined 8 000 Swiss francs (about R42 000), a local newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The wealthy resident, who was identified by her first name, Genevieve, reportedly pleaded before a magistrate’s court: ”The street sweepers do their job so well that the birds can’t find anything to eat.”
The woman, who had racked up another 12 000 Swiss francs in fines over 20 years by repeatedly defying a bylaw that raps pigeons as a health nuisance, was also ordered to pay 2 679 Swiss francs in court fees, the daily 24 Heures reported.
She told the court that her mass feeding of Lausanne’s pigeons — a domestic employee often helped her during the outings — was a palliative for the absence of her children or grandchildren.
”Better to compensate the lack of affection this way than to drink or take drugs,” Genevieve added.
The court said the fine — equivalent to one-and-a-half times an average Swiss monthly wage — was based on her financial means, including a comfortable pension and several houses.
Genevieve reportedly vowed to appeal against the ruling and said she was ready to take the case to Switzerland’s Supreme Court. — Sapa-AFP