While egg addling and harassment are far preferable and more effective than killing, one cannot help wonder, where are geese supposed to go where they are not harassed and/or massacred? Its sad -- and telling, that we have come to look upon natural waterfowl as little more than "nuisance." When will such campaigns be waged on mallards? Or, what about squirrels and other animals in the parks who presumably "poop?" View Comment

Very good comments to which I will only add that it is hoped this community can nurture tolerance and appreciation of the geese in addition to this "need" to control" their population. Geese are important to other wildlife and are a part of any environment that contains water, short grass and open space. If the community wants to contain the number of geese, then habitat modification is a must. Central Park has modified habitat that allows a small population of geese to stay all year, while discouraging breeding in most areas. As noted there are in fact many humane and effective options for managing the geese. What should NOT be among them is a terrifying roundup and slaughter conducted by the USDA. Such are the actions of barbarians. View Comment

Excellent questions MBA raises. Anyone who has ever observed a family of Canada geese will see the same loyalty, devotion, steadfastness and courage that we so admire in our pet dogs. They should be granted similar considerations and concerns. View Comment

This was very uplifting and encouraging to read. However, it seems strange coming from a community that this past summer signed off on the roundup and destruction of nearly 400 Canada geese mostly for reasons of convenience. Canada geese are extremely peaceful animals devoted to their mates, siblings and offspring. Ms. Difiore defines animal cruelty as "any act of violence or neglect that results in the unjustifiable pain and suffering of an animal." Does not roundup, being stuffed 4 to 6 to turkey crates and transported hundreds of miles away in summer heat for gassing or slaughter represent "unjustifiable pain and suffering? Slaughter alone is an act of violence. The capacity to suffer terror, pain and injustice is not limited only to cats and dogs. We need to look at our relationships and treatment of all animals, not just the ones we deem personal favorites. View Comment

It is hoped that the officials of Scarsdale heed the effective and humane suggestions offered to them for goose population management. For years, habitat modification, egg addling and occasional Border Collie hazing has been used in Central Park. This has resulted in a low resident goose population. -- So much so, that harassment has not had to be conducted for the last year and a half. Nor, has Central Park signed on to any lethal culls of geese by USDA. There are effective and humane measures for peacefully living with wildlife. There is even a machine (NatureSweep) that effectively cleans up grasses of all kinds of debris, including goose droppings. There is no excuse not to use these. Scarsdale can choose to allign itself with the barbaric, archaic and intolerant. Or, it can do the right thing. View Comment