The National Goose Protection Coalition has issued a fake citation against the council of Foster City, California, protesting against the plan to kill up to 100 Canada geese. City officials say that the bird’s population must be reduced because is causing potential health hazards and deteriorating lagoon water quality. Each year, the number of Canada geese in the city’s lagoon has grown, rising from 181 in 2020 to 323 the following year. All indications are that the number will increase this year. The city’s plan included both lethal and non-lethal methods to deal with the issue, but protestors say it should only use non-lethal methods.
Lisa Levinson, campaigns director at In Defense of Animals, the organisation leading the coalition, said, “Foster City’s decision to break the necks of up to 100 geese is despicable — and it won’t work… New geese will be attracted to plentiful resources in the area, and the killing cycle will start all over again… Nonlethal goose stewardship practices are available now, but the Council of Foster City chose to kill innocent animals instead.”
The false citation, described as “Gander Slander Citation” and used in similar campaigns across the country, is a publicity stunt to draw attention to the issue of killing geese and encourage citizens to join demonstrations organised against any potential cull. The citation reads “In Defense of Animals’ National Goose Protection Coalition cites you for Gander Slander. Your decision to enact lethal versus nonlethal to resolve conflicts with geese will kill helpless, innocent wild animals who reside peacefully in your community. We urge you to choose compassion over killing. Contact the National Goose Protection Coalition for effective nonlethal goose management strategies.” Similar campaigns have been successful in the past when local authorities have changed their plans.
