Naperville cops say mutilated geese were dumped by hunters

Nearly a dozen dead geese found in two locations on Naperville's northwest side probably were dumped by hunters, police said.

Eleven Canada geese, all with their chest cavities emptied, have been found over the past few days, prompting a brief police probe.

Based on the precision and location of the cuts, the birds likely were killed by hunters, Sgt. Gregg Bell said Wednesday.

"That's traditionally how people who hunt split them open and take the meat out," Bell said.

He said police have closed their investigation.

Four of the geese were discovered about 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 1200 block of Langley Circle in the Brookdale neighborhood. The birds already were removed by the time animal control officers arrived on the scene Wednesday morning.

Another seven geese were found about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday near Enterprise Court and North Aurora Road.

Goose hunting season - which includes Canada geese - runs through Jan. 9 in the northern zone of the state that includes Naperville, according to Roy Maul, conservation police officer with the Department of Natural Resources.

But dumping carcasses is illegal and carries fines of up to $1,500, Maul said. If they are dumped in an area where they are considered a pollutant, fines could go up to $2,500.

Anyone who observes dumping of carcasses may call the Target Illinois Poachers hotline at (877) 263-7529.