Peapack-Gladstone residents, business owners split on decision to euthanize geese in borough
Peapack-Gladstone officials say this is the last resort as the geese have been a challenge in the Somerset County borough.
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Some residents and business owners in Peapack and Gladstone were outraged over the town’s approved plan to exterminate geese due to concerns about fecal droppings on walkways, benches and the pond at Liberty Park. However, some people think it’s a good idea.
Peapack-Gladstone officials say this is the last resort as the geese have been a challenge in the Somerset County borough. However, some people think it’s a good idea and some people don't like it at all.
MORE: Peapack-Gladstone officials approve plan to euthanize geese in town
Some local residents told News New Jersey they would like the council to use other options before euthanization.
"When you have a choice between humane and inhumane, always opt for the humane first. We feel they have not really exhausted every option, and the New Jersey Animal Protection League has offered many suggestions," one resident said. "We hope, we implore them to please try those first before they send these little creatures into a gas chamber. It's heartbreaking."
Another local resident said she is working with a drone operator. She told New 12 the drone was previously used in an effective way to chase the geese away. "We're a community coming together to find more alternative solutions. There's absolutely other things that we want to still try, and leave that way off as a last resort."
The borough says many residents believe the excessive droppings on walkways, benches and playgrounds is a health and safety issue. They say they've tried other ways to get rid of geese, including dogs, lights and spray.
Peapack and Gladstone Council Member Jamie Murphy has brought concerns to the United States Department of Agriculture and ultimately came up with a plan to kill the geese. The borough plans on starting with the eggs and shaking them.
"They would addle the eggs in the spring and then during molting, which is the phase in which the feathers and not flying feathers, they would round up the geese and humanely euthanize them," Murphy said.
The decision to gas the geese was made at a council meeting on March 5. There is currently a change.org petition called “Stop Peapack-Gladstone from killing Canada Geese at Liberty Park” with over 2,500 signatures.
