Border Collies at Work

It's that time of year again when those pesky geese need a reminder to go home! (from boston.com)

Dogs to herd geese from Central Park
March 26, 2007

NEW YORK --City officials will use border collies to drive geese away from Central Park's lawns and meadows next month.

A Howell, N.J., company, Geese Police Inc., employs dog handlers who are educated on the behavior of Canada geese and their migratory, nesting and breeding habits. The collies, bred to herd sheep, have a natural instinct to round up geese.

The Geese Police pilot program, funded by the New York City's Department of Parks and Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy management organization, will last through April.

As with all wildlife that inhabit or migrate through city parkland, Canada geese are protected from hunting and attack by humans, parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said Monday. But their increasing presence can damage grass and leave parks fouled by droppings, Benepe said.

"The Geese Police pilot project is an innovative and humane effort to manage the growing geese population in Central Park," he said.