Local News

Paw-patrol: Worcester seeking dogs to chase geese from parks

“Geese never get used to our dogs, which will become clear when you see our results!”

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

By Emily Spatz

3 minutes to read

Worcester is hiring this summer for what is probably a dog’s dream job. 

The city is looking for four-legged pups to chase away some very well-known park visitors: Canada geese. But not just your average dog and human handler can take on the serious task of providing “geese control services” — trained, experienced pups will take to specified parks on a set schedule to chase away the birds. 

Canada geese can be a public health hazard

Despite their massive population today, Canada geese were hunted to near extinction in North America in the early 1900s, leading to a federal law prohibiting hunting them and other migratory birds outside of specified seasons. 

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But since then, the Canada geese population has boomed, and finding a way to disperse these birds is a problem for municipalities.

Besides being annoying, Canada geese can pose sanitary and health problems for citizens. The birds can produce a half pound to a pound and a half of waste each day, which can quickly contaminate nearby water, compromising human health and increasing algae growth in ponds and lakes, according to the state’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Worcester has been using dogs for over a decade

Worcester first determined that it had problems with geese in 2006, according to Michael Berberian, the principal sanitary inspector for the city. First, it put up signs telling the public not to feed the birds and started a process called “egg addling.”

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Egg addling involves covering goose eggs with corn oil to prevent them from hatching, Berberian said. When the eggs don’t hatch, geese aren’t likely to return to the same area to nest.

The city intensified its efforts in 2010 when they hired a company to ward off geese using dogs for the first time. The combination of all these tactics has produced results, Berberian said.

“So far, we’ve had some success,” Berberian said. “We’ve reduced the geese population, and it’s very, very beneficial for the citizens of Worcester.”

The current company contracted to work for Worcester, called Taking Flight Geese Control, has border collies “on staff” to help with the hazing duties. 

“[Border collies] are herding dogs, so they don’t hurt the animal, they just chase them off the beaches or from the water,” Berberian said. 

A job for professionals

Keeping the chase harmless is a crucial part of the work, according to city documents. Whoever gets picked for the job needs to have “demonstrated experience in humane hazing of non-migratory geese,” the city’s bid document states. 

The wellbeing and safety of the dogs is also a top priority. Dogs will only work during daylight hours and can take a rain-check during hazardous weather conditions, according to documents. 

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Using dogs to chase away geese is cheaper and more effective than other control methods like chemicals, Taking Flight Goose Control says on its website. 

“Geese never get used to our dogs, which will become clear when you see our results!” the company’s website reads. 

The dogs will start their work at the beginning of June — before the geese start molting — and will frequent nine parks in the city, including Elm Park, Institute Park, and Green Hill Park. Each park will be visited up to three days per week, and every location will be visited over the weekend. 

The contract will be awarded to the lowest bidder, Berberian said, and will possibly be renewed for another two to three years.

“We want to make sure when the dogs go out that they’re safe, and the company’s reputable,” Berberian said. “It’s not just someone coming with a dog.”

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