Several days ago some Tweets asked about solutions to the Canada Geese
problem before they called the Mayor and Parks Department. Below is a
recent article from the King County Journal that describes the non-legal
solution Kirkland uses. There are lots of animal rights advocates in
Seattle who would volunteer to do the same thing.



Also, I read I the paper this morning that the Parks Department estimate
that the Canada Geese population is already 75% reduced. With as great
a reduction as that doesn't it seem irresponsible to kill more? I keep
thinking of the Passenger Pigeons. There were "way too many" of them
too and we all know what happened.





Margaret Parkinson

University District



>King County Journal Article

> >Jon Savelle

> >May 29, 2003

> >

> >Fido enlisted to fight fowl: Kirkland encourages leashed dogs to

> >chase messy Canada geese

> >

> >

> >PHOTO: Pam Kiesel and her dog, Romeo, alarm a few Canada geese in

> >Kirkland's Houghton Beach Park. The city's parks department has

> >harnessed the community's dog walkers to combat the geese. (Rick

> >Schweinhart/Journal)

> >

> >KIRKLAND -- Romeo is a sweet-tempered Doberman pinscher. But show him


> >a gaggle of geese on the lawn, and he'll charge like a locomotive,

> >dragging owner Pam Kiesel along at the end of his leash.

> >

> >And that's just what Romeo is supposed to do. Romeo is one of a

> >handful of volunteers who help keep the city's waterfront parks free

> >of geese and their droppings.

> >

> >"It's perfectly legal, as long as he's on a lead and a good canine

> >citizen," Kiesel said. "And we pick up after him."

> >

> >Not only is it legal, it's actually encouraged by the city. Parks

> >department supervisor Mike Metteer conceived the idea of harnessing

> >the community's dog walkers to combat the geese.

> >

> >They are a formidable adversary. Around the region, Canada geese have


> >worn out their welcome by feasting on park lawns, leaving piles of

> >poop behind.

> >

> >Some cities, like Seattle, have taken drastic measures like

> >destroying eggs and even gassing adult geese.

> >

> >Metteer is taking a lower-profile approach by capitalizing on

> >citizens' willingness to help -- and their dogs' natural

> >inclinations.

> >

> >After all, he reasoned, they are out there anyway, and the geese

> >deliver the desired response: They fly away.

> >

> >The program started in January with about six people, including

> >Kiesel.

> >

> >"It's been pretty successful," Metteer said. "In the past we've hired


> >a woman to chase geese away, but we couldn't afford it" any more.

> >

> >That person also used dogs -- specially trained to scare the geese

> >away.

> >

> >Kiesel has been one of the most steadfast of the volunteer goose

> >brigade, going out almost every morning on a regular route through

> >Houghton and Marsh parks. She said the duty adds no burden to her

> >walk with Romeo, and he loves it.

> >

> >"These kinds of dogs tend to be prey driven," she said. "Especially

> >if it's an s-q-u-i-r-r-e-l."

> >

> >But geese are a close second. As soon as Romeo spots them cropping

> >grass in Houghton Beach Park on Thursday, he lunges toward them. And

> >the geese take him seriously: Heads held high, they keep their beady

> >black eyes glued to him. Then they take off.

> >

> >"This is a goose relocation program," Kiesel said. "It encourages

> >them to go where the mess is less of a problem."

> >

> >Metteer is looking for more volunteers like Kiesel and Romeo. He

> >meets with every one to explain the ground rules and the city's

> >objectives. He wants people-friendly dogs who are kept on a leash and


> >who will not be permitted to harass the geese. And he wants owners to


> >pick up their dogs' droppings.

> >

> >"It's just to create a presence," Metteer said. "They're just there

> >to create some relief."

> >

> >It seems to be working, based on the amount of goose poop left

> >behind. Metteer said he's seen a level of improvement that can only

> >be good news for all other users of the parks.

> >

> >"The numbers are down, anyway," he said. "I can't claim 100 percent

> >credit for this."

> >

> >Metteer is especially grateful to the volunteers. He said some of the


> >first volunteers were unable to continue due to other commitments,

> >but their contributions are appreciated nonetheless.

> >

> >Now he is looking for more.

> >

> >All who are interested should be willing to commit for at least one

> >quarter of the year. They should call Metteer at 425-828-7954 or sent


> >him an e-mail at mmetteer at ci.kirkland.wa.us.

> >

> >Jon Savelle can be reached at jon.savelle at kingcountyjournal.com or

> >425-453-4231.

> >

> >++++++++++++++++++++++++

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