Help save Canada Geese in Seattle!

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The following is a message forwarded by Seattle activists fighting to save

Canada geese. The geese are being gassed because of their unsightly

excrement in city parks. Many animal welfare organizations have offered to

teach humane alternatives - as killing does not solve the problem (new geese

populations move in to exploit the area).

 

If you have time, please send an email or call the mayor and/or park

officials.

 

 

Wednesday, June 19, 2002

 

 

5:45 am United States Dept. of Agriculture kills Canada geese at Seattle's

South Lake Union Park.

 

 

POLICE SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PROTECTING GOOSE KILLERS

Seattle Police firmed up their complicity with USDA goose killers this

morning when at least 15 police officers, a half dozen police cars and a

police boat coordinated activities to close down South Lake Union Park to

all, including swimmers. In the coordinated attack, police ran interception

for USDA goose killing squad.

 

Two activists jumped into the lake in an attempt to encourage the geese to

move out into the lake and away from the killers, when they were ordered out

of the water by a Lieutenant in the Harbor Patrol who claimed that the park

had been closed by orders of the Park Department. Boat access to the area

was blocked by the City of Seattle harbor patrol boat.

 

The complicity of the Seattle City authorities in the cruel and senseless

slaughter of Canada geese is indefensible. While parks closures are

threatened and services are being reduced., the Seattle Parks Department has

squandered thousands of dollars of tax payers' money to deprive citizens of

the use of their parks and to kill their resident wildlife.

 

Not only is it unnecessary for the City of Seattle to protect USDA agents,

as they are in NO DANGER WHATSOEVER from activists, but it is a frivolous

use of precious emergency resources. Any boat emergency could have become a

tragedy while the police boat was tied up keeping kayakers and other lake

users out of the killing zone. Even most police officers on the street

realize that their mission of Protect and Serve was not intended to mean

Protect Goose Killers and Serve Yourself.

 

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department has been whining about money

shortages yet they have no problem whatsoever using other financially

strapped city departments for protection for an unwarranted, unwanted,

unnecessary and expensive program to kill wildlife.

 

 

PLEASE CONTACT:

1. Mayor Greg Nickels

Phone: (206) 684-4000

Fax: (206) 684-5360

email: Mayors.Office

 

2. Kenneth Bounds

Superintendent, Seattle City Parks

206-684-8022

 

Click on the link below to send an email to Mr. Bounds:

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/contact/superintendent.htm

 

3. Patricia McInturff

Deputy Superintendent, Seattle City Parks

206-684-8011

 

Let them know how you feel about the City of Seattle's goose killing

program.

Talking Points:

- You are unlikely to plan a trip to a city whose Parks Department kills

geese

- You are upset at the amount of money being wasted on this inhumane,

ineffective goose management strategy.

- You are concerned about financial cutbacks at parks particularly when the

Parks Department is squandering public funds protecting USDA agents who are

IN NO DANGER except of being exposed for what they are.

- There are proven humane solutions to perceived human/goose conflicts

including landscaping, use of dogs and chemical treatment of lawns.

- Ask Mayor Nickels to END THE GOOSE KILL IMMEDIATELY.

 

If you believe that you were not paid sufficient attention by whomever you

talk with, please call back again and again until they listen to you.

 

We are extremely saddened by the loss of 70 or so geese that were probably

killed this morning at South Lake Union. Please call and call often so that

these geese will not have died in vain.

 

We are grateful for your help and support! USDA Wildlife " Services " days are

numbered. Let's make it a small number.

 

Thank You.

Give Geese a Chance

Bob Chorush

bob