Though an iconic symbol of Canada, there’s likely little debate that the Canada goose is pretty low on the cool bird hierarchy.
It is no sagittarius serpentarius (secretary bird).
After all, Canada geese are big, lumbering creatures; their omnipresent poop ends up in our kids’ rugby cleats on the field or, worse yet, between their tiny toes at Alice Lake.
The colouring of Canadian geese is akin to a bland 1970s professor’s cardigan — the ones with leather patches on the elbow, remember those? (likely not, they were so nondescript) — and the goose’s call sounds like a dog after its voicebox has been removed.
Not exactly the stuff photographers and videographers clamour for.
Also, they can be cranky as anyone who has been minding their own business when attacked by a Canadian goose can attest (there’s a whole series of YouTube videos of this).
And yet.
Is it OK to let our dogs chase these less than stellar fowl to distraction at local fields?
At some locations around town, such as at the fields at Howe Sound Secondary, this happens multiple times over a weekend.
It isn’t uncommon at other places either, such as Brennan Park, Alice Lake, and Don Ross Middle School fields.
Of course, dogs chasing birds is normal canine behaviour, but we are talking about dog owners encouraging and delighting in their pets chasing the birds.
Cecelia Parsons, a spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada, told The Chief that the displacement of Canada geese by dogs from foraging areas — like fields — can increase their “energetic demands.”
This means they will require more food to compensate for lost foraging time.
“In addition, their energy expenditure is increased as they search for new foraging locations. The birds spend more time foraging and their energy is redirected from growth and reproduction, which reduces their survival chances,” she said.
Migratory Birds Regulations prohibit the chasing, killing or harassing of migratory birds, including Canada geese, whether or not the bird is captured, killed or injured, Parsons added.
Violations of protections for migratory birds can be reported to the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate (WED) of Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada at ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca or 1-888-569-5656.
In other words, what Parsons is saying in her government jargon is it is doggone mean to let your dogs chase the geese. It could kill them. So, stop it.
