VIDEO: Geese attack grandmother and her two year old granddaughter but others rather like them
Geese at Nene parade March.
James Podesta
Saturday, April 6, 2013
11:19 PM
RAMPAGING geese are terrorising people along Nene Parade, March.
An alternative view: By Jennifer Lawler who also shot the video
A wonderful group of seven geese arrived after Christmas on the Nene Parade riverbank of the River Nene in March. Since their arrival they have settled in and provided so much interest in March. People continually come along to see them, to feed them, to show them to their children, and to talk to them. The area has, according to many bystanders, become a veritable nature reserve, encouraging mallard ducks and drakes, moorhens and even seagulls to wander around the top of the riverbank with the geese.
The white geese, with orange beaks and feet, appear to be domesticated geese. An early call to the RSPB to ask if they were lost, confirmed that they are quite safe with sufficient food from the river, though it would be better if they were not given white bread. Bird food, seeds, is preferable, and wholemeal bread rather than white.
This video shows that the geese, although noisy guard ‘dogs’, are always keen to respond and chat to people! Hopefully a minority of people will not disturb or alarm them. They are doing a wonderful job of weeding and manicuring the grass despite trampling the odd daffodil!
Moira Abbott, 58, from March, says she was walking along the river bank between Town Bridge and Wigstone’s Bridge with Ayani, her two year old granddaughter, when they were ambushed by seven adult white geese.
She said: “They all ran at us with their arms outstretched. They were very scary. I had to pick up my granddaughter. “She was terrified. I don’t know if they belong to anyone but it’s an increasing problem.”
Mrs Abbott says she is not alone in being frightened of the geese.
She said: “The school children who walk along the path are reluctant to approach them and I have seen women on bikes trying to avoid them.
“I was talking to my next door neighbour and she says her grandson is quite scared of them as well.”
The hotel worker has raised her concerns with various animal welfare organisations but is frustrated by the lack of response.
She said: “I have called the One Stop Shop, RSPB and RSPCA to report it but it just seems like I’m going around in circles.
“I still feel like I’m being petty but I know if I don’t speak up someone will get hurt.”
A RSPCA spokesman said: “Geese may protect their environment if they feel under threat. That is why they are often used as ‘guard’ animals.
“The RSPCA recommends that if members of the public keeps their distance from the geese and urges dog owners to keep their pets on leads when near the birds.”
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2 comments
I would suggest that the RSPCA spokesperson, takes a walk down Nene Parade to see exactly where the Geese are situated when they have small children, buggy, shopping etc to contend with and then perhaps provide some more useful advice to aid the residents and those who use Nene Parade.
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Amy Neville
Friday, March 22, 2013
I would like to know how much distance the RSPCA suggest we keep from them? I'm presuming they haven't visited nene parade to see where they are causing a nuisance as they would realise its near impossible at times. Unless one wishes to hurl themselves down the riverbank or over a wall when the geese come pelting towards a person, wings outstretched.
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Carrie Wheeler
Friday, March 22, 2013