Farmington Hills parks worker accused of shooting goose (Canada Goose)

ap ^ | 4-12-05

[Dan from Michigan]

Farmington Hills parks worker accused of shooting goose
4/12/2005, 6:09 a.m. ET
The Associated Press

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (AP) — A municipal parks and recreation employee has been suspended with pay on suspicion of shooting a Canada goose after the aggressive bird harassed him.

The unidentified worker used a .32 caliber handgun to shoot the goose Saturday at Farmington Hills Golf Club and Driving Range, said City Manager Steve Brock.

Golfers notified authorities after hearing gunshots off the third hole. The worker, who has not been charged, has been interviewed by his supervisors and police, Brock told The Detroit News.

Criminal charges could range from reckless use of a firearm to cruelty to an animal. Police Chief William Dwyer said other city workers have reported being attacked by the goose that was shot.

[Dan from Michigan]

Farmington Hills. That is not a good location for the shooter to defend himself. It's one of the more anti-gun burbs in the state, which explains how Aldo Vagnozzi won there.

[Gabz]

While I'm inclined to agree that discharging a fire arm on or near a golf course that is in use is not a smart thing to do.............I understand why the guy did it.........Those geese are a nuisance.

[Renderofveils]

So was it a hole in one?

[spodefly]

Canadian geese usually aren't that aggressive. I used to live next to a pond (some people called it a lake ... but I digress) and had sometimes as many as 30 geese in my back yard ... I fed them catfish food, the floating kind that is used in catfish farms, and they loved me and worshiped me as a god ...

There were also several big giant white geese that showed up from time to time ... I don't know what they were, but I don't think they could fly very well if at all ... those *$#@'s were aggressive ... they would come after me and the other geese without hesitation ... I chased them off with the Red Rider more than once.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

"the aggressive bird harassed him."

So....where's the beef? Sounds like the goose got its just deserts. Or justly became an entree....

[garyhope]

Big deal, the goose was probably trying to play through without asking.

Geese belong in the woods and fields. They crap all over everything and spread disease. It's not like there's a shortage of geese. Same for deer.

[Dan from Michigan]

My late grandfather was never afraid to speak his mind(it runs in the family).

They used to live at one apartment complex and some geese always game by there and ate my grandmother's flowers. My grandparents hated those things.

Apparently, others did not think much of the geese as they were poisoned(They didn't do it). A reporter asked my grandfather about it. The response was long rant to the effects of "I hope they got rid of all of em." Grandma expected the cops to visit them later.

[Dan from Michigan]

Canadian geese usually aren't that aggressive.

They sure are in Michigan. Second only to swans.

[GladesGuru]

A driver applied to that long neck of course would have turned a problem into a dinner. Of course there is the problem of feathers and pin feathers to be solved before "of course" becomes the main course.

[Alouette]

Canadian geese usually aren't that aggressive.

As long as you keep your car parked in the garage.

[ninenot]

That poor slob county worker should have investigated air pistols.

Just as deadly, just as quick--but WAAAYYYY quiet.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

I fed them catfish food, the floating kind that is used in catfish farms, and they loved me and worshiped me as a god ...

You was played, pardner. Them Socialist Welfare Canadian geeses was using you like a meal ticket by storking your ego. Now, you've let the horse out of the barn and while I am not usually sadistic, I gaggle at your misfortune, you get a goose egg of my sympathy. (you can Google it if you like.) You're down right now, you've feathered your nest and now you find....as they found out during the French Revolution..... when dealing with aristocratic spies, you should NEVER hatchet your Counts before they chicken.... (DUCKING and running)........

[ninenot]

The white birdies were likely domesticated geese.

Our neighbors had a flock of them which they grew and ate. Nasty, territorial, mean birds.

Of course, those white birdies COULD have been swans--do you recall the color(s) of their beaks?

[gov_bean_ counter]

Sounds like what you get when you cross "The Birds" with "Caddyshack".

[ninenot]

A very snooty suburb nearby has a goose problem of the first magnitude--couldn't happen to nicer people.

They can't even use their park anymore--the soccermoms wind up standing in the crap about an inch deep.

But heavens to Betsy!!! Don't SHOOT the damn things!!!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I second that. I remember being chased by Canadian geese, past the pond and into the woods. What fun.

[ninenot]

French Revolution..... when dealing with aristocratic spies, you should NEVER hatchet your Counts before they chicken.

Some things never change, eh?

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

I confess, I am guillotine of having a terrible sense of humor....

[ikka]

I do wonder though... what is the air velocity of an unladen ...

[AlbertWang]

If I was this worker I would claim the bird had a knife and it was self defense.