The gung-ho goose that likely incited an unprovoked attack on an elderly woman last month at Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth has been identified.
News outlets report that Hope Swinimer, director of Hope for Wildlife, which rescues, cares for and rehabilitates injured and orphaned wild animals, said one of the nine geese now housed at the Seaforth rescue has been exhibiting aggressive and protective behaviour.
Willow Webb, 87, suffered a broken pelvis and elbow and bruises after the geese suddenly charged her while she was out for an Oct. 25 morning walk with the aid of her walker. The geese, a mainstay at Sullivan’s Pond near downtown Dartmouth, knocked her over and pecked at her before being chased away by another woman who was in the area.
Hope for Wildlife, the regular winter home for the Sullivan’s Pond geese, took the flock of nine geese more than a month earlier than usual this year in the wake of the attack. The goose suspected of being the ringleader in the attack was one of four new birds added to the flock earlier this year.
It’s likely that eight of the nine geese can be returned to Sullivan’s Pond next year but Swinimer says the fate of the aggressive goose is up to the Halifax Regional Municipality.
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