07/10/2026
🪿 **Small-Town PSA: Please stop chasing the geese at our parks.** 🪿
We can't believe this has to be said... but here we are.
The geese don't want to race you. They don't want to be chased. And despite your confidence, there's a good chance the goose will win anyway. 🤷♂️
Aside from stressing the birds (and entertaining everyone else at the park), goose droppings can carry bacteria and parasites like **Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Giardia,** and **Cryptosporidium**. While simply being near geese is generally low risk, touching goose droppings or contaminated water and then touching your face or food can make for a pretty miserable few days.
Also, this isn't just about common courtesy.
📖 **Wisconsin Statute §951.02** prohibits treating an animal in a cruel manner, with penalties under **§951.18** ranging from forfeitures and misdemeanors to felony charges in the most serious cases involving intentional conduct that results in severe injury or death.
🦆 **Canada geese are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.** Federal law generally prohibits pursuing, capturing, harming, or attempting to take protected migratory birds without authorization. Violations can result in misdemeanor penalties, including fines and possible jail time.
🏛️ **Evansville Municipal Code Sec. 14-50** also prohibits abusing, mistreating, or injuring animals, and violations of the municipal code may carry forfeitures under **Sec. 1-11**.
So here's the plan:
✅ Enjoy the park.
✅ Watch the geese from a respectful distance.
❌ Don't chase them.
❌ Don't harass them.
❌ And definitely don't step in what they leave behind.
Let's keep our parks safe, respectful, and enjoyable for everyone—including the feathered residents who already think they own the place. 🪿💚
