KC may criminalize feeding Canada geese in parks

Published: Saturday, December 13, 2008 7:28 AM CST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City may outlaw feeding Canada geese in city parks, a practice that officials say results in a bigger buildup of goose poop on sidewalks and trails.

A proposed ordinance introduced Thursday sets a maximum $500 fine and a jail sentence of up to 6 months for feeding geese that crowd into parks. Chunks of bread and other treats entice more of the big birds to stay around for more, which creates an even worse mess.

Parks officials say rain washes the goose droppings into adjacent creeks, which could affect water quality. But park users complain that so much of the gooey, green goose poop coats walkways that it's unpleasant -- and downright risky -- to go for a walk.

Officials say that if the ordinance is enacted, the primary targets will be frequent goose-feeders who have continued the practice after being asked to stop.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com


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ODF wrote on Dec 23, 2008 1:08 PM:

" Boscoe - When the city assists in protecting them, then they essentially become the city's pets. Criminalizing the feeding of geese is not the answer to the overpopulation of geese in urban areas. Reduction of the population is...unfortunately they are not very edible, unless you like eating tough, rank, shoe leather. "

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boscoe wrote on Dec 23, 2008 9:36 AM:

" Isn't it interesting that it is much easier to kills something ugly like a spider or snake than to kill something cuddly like a kitten or a puppy? Must be how we are wired (evolution/survival of the fittest) that keeps us from wanting to kill the pretty animals.

As for the geese, they are not the city's pets. They are invaders / illegal aliens. I say shoot 'em and burn the carcasses unless someone wants 'em for food. "

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ODF wrote on Dec 22, 2008 9:56 AM:

" The only way to reduce geese is to permanently reduce their numbers (ie kill them). Liberal Columbia tried to scare them off. So what, that just makes them someone else's problem.
Why is that citizens are fined when their pets get loose, but city "pets" are protected without regard to population size, health hazards or how big of a menace they are to the public. The city parks are for the CITIZENS, not wildlife. I guarantee if the issue was rats, mice, coyotes or similar they would not stand for an overpopulation. so why geese? "

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TheRickster wrote on Dec 19, 2008 8:10 AM:

" I know, not a big deal to most, but if you try to enjoy any parks with geese have taken over they are a pest.
Columbia tried to get rid of some geese at Stephans Park. They tried a noise machine to run them off and they got immune to it. They were going to shoot them and all the tree huggers said geese were here before us. They netted them and down the road the problem went!
I like the idea to kill them and feed the soup kitchens. Good golly, there are soooo many of the rascals!!! "

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boscoe wrote on Dec 17, 2008 8:56 PM:

" Feed the geese to the snapping turtles. "

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msindependent wrote on Dec 17, 2008 8:42 PM:

" I guess every other crime in kansas City has been solved, they finally got around to lonely people in the park and their pesky concern for Geese.

Next they'll crack down on them darned animal shelters and the barking.....noise statutes you know. "

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msindependent wrote on Dec 17, 2008 8:38 PM:

" Moe rons cull some geese, this is rediculous. "

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L D wrote on Dec 15, 2008 9:19 AM:

" HAHAHAHAHA!!! The news article says POOP!! TWICE!! hahaha....

seriously? feeding geese makes you a criminal. Yea, we should definately take care of those folks feedin the geese. Theyre ruining our country one crouton at a time. Honestly, KC, how about you get rid of some druggies or gangsters or sumpthin. Leave the geese alone. If you dont like em, run em off. Dont waste your time with a law. Geez, someone has a bit of free time.... "

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shinymcshine wrote on Dec 14, 2008 2:02 PM:

" uh, feed the hungry?!?!?!
Shoot some geese and fill the soup kitchens.
Who do you think is going to be on Goose Poop Patrol? KCPD???
Another example of govt making a knee jerk reaction and pass a law that can't or won't be enforced.
Thin the herd (or gaggle, as it were) and feed some folks some tasty honkers. "

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