Whitchurch geese scaring plan is flawed, says RSPCA

After children playing on Queensway Playing Fields in Whitchurch regularly came home covered in geese muck, plans to cull the geese were organised.

But the idea was halted when it was met with anger from local residents, who are now hoping to scare them off by walking their dogs close by and using a remote controlled speedboat on the pond.

But the RSPCA have said this probably won't keep the geese away in the long term.

Harriet Cawley, a spokeswoman for the charity, said: "The use of trained dogs to deter geese has been used in many areas.

"The idea is not to use the dog to chase the geese but by regularly walking a dog in the area where the geese are, they will feel harassed and move away.

"However it is unlikely to have any long-term benefits as the geese may just become habituated to this sort of disturbance.

"Geese and other waterfowl often tolerate a lot of disturbance in areas where they are fed by the public, including dogs.

"We would not support the use of a speedboat to deter the geese and doubt it would be very effective."

So far, according to Mayor of Whitchurch Town Council, Rob Hewson, said the plans had been going well.

He said: "It's been going really well so far.

"We've had people walking their dogs near to the geese, not letting them off the leads or chasing the geese or anything, but responsible dog walking.

"We're also going to be introducing fishing into the pond and thinking about putting a fence up around it.

"It's all about people using the park, if there are lots of people, the geese won't stop there."

Councillor Hewson said that the problems had come about when children and walkers came off the field covered in muck left by the Canada geese.

He said: "We don't have anything against the geese, but they are aggressive and there are little children playing on the field.

"We welcome the ducks and wildlife to the park, but we just don't want that kind of thing going on here."

If, like the RSPA has suggested, the plans have no long-term effect, it has been suggested that geese eggs will be pricked next year to control the numbers on the park.

In response, Ms Cawley said: "The RSPCA is opposed, in principle, to the killing or taking of wildlife.

"Where there is a proven case for control, we advocate the use of non-harmful methods where possible."