Canada Geese in Massachusetts Are Being Brutalized and Killed

Wild geese are everywhere you look in Massachusetts, leaving droppings and honking up a storm. The explosion in the goose population has raised health and safety concerns for many Massachusetts residents.

Now, geese are being targeted in at least one Massachusetts community.

Boston 25 News reported, "Police in Quincy are investigating reports of abuse and deaths of several Canadian geese in the Germantown neighborhood."

Reports said a goose was found with a knot around its neck, others reportedly with their legs tied together, and others had neck injuries. The station reports one decapitated goose.

Police don't know who is responsible for harming the geese or if the cases are related. One resident told the station she and others patrol the area looking out for geese that might be victims of abuse.

According to MassWildlife, "There are two different populations of Canada geese in Massachusetts. The first is the migratory population, which passes through in the spring and fall."

The agency says the second group is the resident population, "descendants of captive geese used by waterfowl hunters."

While regulated hunting of Canada geese is allowed in Massachusetts, strict laws protect them and their eggs.

MassWildlife suggests you report aggressive or problematic geese and do not feed them.

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New Bedford Public Information Officer Jonathan Darling said Animal Control Officer Manny Maciel "hasn't seen or heard of any similar incidents in New Bedford."

"While there are no City ordinances that specifically focus on protections for geese, all state laws regarding animal abuse are in place and enforced by the New Bedford Police Department," Darling said.