Berkeley officials crack down on feeding squirrels

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Thursday, July 3, 2014
A squirrel nibbles on plant life in Central Park on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- The City of Berkeley is getting the word out -- don't feed the squirrels.

The animals are a turning into a big problem, especially at Cesar Chavez Park off the bay.

Officials are worried the squirrels there will burrow into an underground layer of clay which seals off a former dump.

So on Tuesday city officials passed a new ordinance making it illegal to feed the rodents at all city parks.

Violators could face fines up to $1,000 and/or 6-months in jail.