Scarsdale Town Board: Don't kill the Library Pond geese

The Issue

This petition is in response to Scarsdale Town Board's plan to kill the geese living at Library Pond this summer.   

newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/19/scarsdale-officials-to-kill-pesky-geese-turn-them-into-meat/

Canada geese are beautiful, intelligent birds who mate for life, fiercely protect their eggs and young, and display loyalty for other members of their flock. The methods that USDA Wildlife Services uses to kill geese are controversial and widely understood to be grossly inhumane - during the hottest months of the year flightless geese and goslings are corralled, packed into turkey crates and transported to slaughterhouses or gas chambers.  

There is no scientific basis that geese dropping pose a threat to human health. Killing the geese is counter to public opinion, not how the residents of Scarsdale want tax dollars spent, and a horrid example for children to whom we teach tolerance and co-existence with wildlife.

Killing the geese is not an effective solution, and will only clear the area temporarily as other geese will repopulate the vacant desirable habitat. A long term strategy is required to resolve the conflict.

This unfortunate plan can be avoided by making a commitment of simple steps, such as cleaning up the grass with machines that pick up goose droppings, and making landscape modifications which hamper access to the pond and prevent geese from colonizing the pond’s surrounding area. Migratory geese will leave the area on their own in the spring, local populations that remain through the summer can effectively be controlled.

avatar of the starter
GooseWatch NYCPetition StarterGooseWatch NYC is committed to the protection of Canada Geese and urban wildlife in New York City and beyond through public education, political and legal action, on the ground efforts, and advocacy for more ethical, practical, and effective solutions to conflicts with geese.
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 603 supporters!

The Issue

This petition is in response to Scarsdale Town Board's plan to kill the geese living at Library Pond this summer.   

newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/19/scarsdale-officials-to-kill-pesky-geese-turn-them-into-meat/

Canada geese are beautiful, intelligent birds who mate for life, fiercely protect their eggs and young, and display loyalty for other members of their flock. The methods that USDA Wildlife Services uses to kill geese are controversial and widely understood to be grossly inhumane - during the hottest months of the year flightless geese and goslings are corralled, packed into turkey crates and transported to slaughterhouses or gas chambers.  

There is no scientific basis that geese dropping pose a threat to human health. Killing the geese is counter to public opinion, not how the residents of Scarsdale want tax dollars spent, and a horrid example for children to whom we teach tolerance and co-existence with wildlife.

Killing the geese is not an effective solution, and will only clear the area temporarily as other geese will repopulate the vacant desirable habitat. A long term strategy is required to resolve the conflict.

This unfortunate plan can be avoided by making a commitment of simple steps, such as cleaning up the grass with machines that pick up goose droppings, and making landscape modifications which hamper access to the pond and prevent geese from colonizing the pond’s surrounding area. Migratory geese will leave the area on their own in the spring, local populations that remain through the summer can effectively be controlled.

avatar of the starter
GooseWatch NYCPetition StarterGooseWatch NYC is committed to the protection of Canada Geese and urban wildlife in New York City and beyond through public education, political and legal action, on the ground efforts, and advocacy for more ethical, practical, and effective solutions to conflicts with geese.

The Decision Makers

Amy Paulin
New York State Assembly - District 88
George Latimer
Former State Senate - New York-37
Jason Marra
Jason Marra
Supt. Parks, Recreation and Conservation
Mayor Miriam Levitt Flisser
Mayor Miriam Levitt Flisser
Scarsdale Town Board

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on January 18, 2013