ROME, August 23 (RIA Novosti) - Pigeons, a traditional favorite of all visitors to the northern Italian city of Venice, cost every Venetian 276 euros annually, a local newspaper said Thursday.
Corriere del Veneto said local authorities charge 23 euros per month from every Venetian to disinfect public squares and rid monuments of pigeon droppings.
"Pigeons damage architectural sites, nibbling away at them to aid their digestion. The number of birds has increased 25% in the city in the past year," the paper said.
Venetian authorities are becoming increasingly frustrated by the situation. Recent reports said the city's administration is planning to prohibit tourists from feeding pigeons in St. Mark's square.
Among other scenarios, authorities are considering removing bird feeders from the streets to reduce the number of pigeons.
