Fishing Line-Ensnared Canada Goose Saved In Beverly

BEVERLY, MA — Quick-acting Kelleher Road residents and a Beverly Housing Authority employee were able to help Animal Control Officer Matthew Lipinski free a Canada goose ensnared in fishing line Tuesday morning.

Lipinski said he responded to multiple reports of a goose in distress around 8 a.m. and found the fowl with fishing line wrapped around both of its legs — making it very difficult for the bird to move. The residents and the employee helped Lipinski detain the goose while Lipinski cut the legs free of the line.

"As a result of quick action by all, the goose was unharmed by the fishing line, returned to the wild, and will recover quickly," the Beverly ACO said. "We would like to remind residents that fishing line poses a threat to wildlife when cut free (from the reel) and not disposed of properly.

"While fishing, please make a best effort to clean up and remove all fishing gear you introduce to the area at all times."

Residents and visitors are also reminded to only use freshwater fishing gear in lakes and streams instead of heavier and stronger saltwater gear.

"Fishing gear left behind and not properly disposed of as well as using incorrect gear for the location you are fishing can be dangerous to wildlife and can cause them harm," the Beverly ACO said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)