Homes sought for City Beach geese

SANDPOINT — The days of being chased down City Beach by a flock of belligerent geese are nearly over.

The city recently adopted an ordinance meant to move the domesticated birds from the beach to individual homes and properties.

Under the ordinance, the city will pay the North Idaho Animal Hospital $2,500 to capture, care for and eventually find new homes for the 50-plus geese.

The problem with the birds, according to Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff, is that as domesticated animals they do not belong in the wild and create added expenses for the city.

Unlike their wild counterparts, the domesticated geese do not migrate during the winter months, have no natural predators and tend to lash out at pedestrians, Woodruff said.

The geese were likely illegally introduced to the area several years ago by an unidentified community member, according to city documents.

“They’re domestic geese and are unlike the wild geese that keep away from populated areas,” Woodruff said. “They show aggressive behavior in the spring when they’re protecting their young. They eat a lot and defecate a lot. One of the major problems is trying to keep a clean environment.”

Even before the first goose is moved, the project is drawing attention from a wide variety of community members.

Alex Hon, a Life Scout and eighth-grader at Sandpoint Charter School, has volunteered his time to the program with the hope of ascending to the rank of Eagle Scout. Hon, 14, will build individual goose transportation boxes, supply two days worth of food and hand out literature to earn the rank.

Besides his desire for a merit badge, Hon’s volunteerism comes from a love of animals and a desire to make City Beach more enjoyable.

“It benefits the community,” Hon said of the program. “And I love animals. I love caring for them. … This is a great thing because I never like to see animals just killed.”

All interested community members are encouraged to adopt a goose, but the birds cannot not be adopted anywhere on Lake Pend Oreille or any immediate drainages associated with the lake. As part of the program, the hospital will clip the birds’ wings to limit their ability to return to the city.

Call 265-5700 for more information or to sign up to adopt a goose.