Geneva eyeing dogs to get tough on geese

Geneva park workers and users have had it with Canada geese.

They are messing up sports fields, paths and freshly planted areas at Island Park and Peck Farm Park with their droppings.

So the park district is thinking of siccing dogs on them.

Steve Persinger, executive director of the district, informed the park board Monday night that staff is investigating renting border collies to chase the geese away. He learned that the Fox Valley Park District did so, with good results.

"The geese leave when they start running towards them," Persinger said.

The district has tried spraying a goose repellent on the ground, but that washes away in the rain.

Persinger doesn't know if there are more geese in the parks than before, or if they are noticing the geese more as use of the parks has increased.

"It's just not a good thing for everyone," he said of the feces found in the parks.

Federal wildlife experts have studied Canada goose feces and found that they carry pathogens, such as listeria, salmonella, cryptosporidium and campylobacter, that can make humans ill.

Border collies are bred for their ability to stalk and herd flocks. They were originally used to herd sheep in Scotland -- while fixing the prey with an unnerving stare. But also key is their "biddability" -- the propensity to obey their handler and not kill the prey. They are also noted for their abundant energy.

They may be used for one to two weeks, until the geese are tired of being hassled and stay away.