Associated Humane Society Offering Reward For Information About Geese Killed On Ocean Gate Drive

by Patricia A. Miller

Officials at the Associated Humane Society Popcorn Park Shelter are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who slammed into four Canada geese trying to cross Ocean Gate Drive Tuesday, killing three and injuring one.

"This is absolutely disgusting and inexcusable," according to the organization's Facebook page. "Geese only take a few seconds to cross the road. Wait, go around them, but really......run them over? That is despicable. Far too often this is intentional and not an accident. If you have any information on the person that killed these geese or the others in the area of Ocean Gate Drive, please call the police department at 732-269-2468.

Witnesses are also asked to call the Popcorn Park Zoo at 609-693-1900.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is also involved in the investigation.

Animal cruelty statutes depend on the circumstances and differ for companion animals and wild animals, according to the Prosecutor's Office Facebook page.

"Event circumstances and whether it was a companion or wild animal would dictate if it would be charged on a municipal level or as a felony charge," according to the post. " In the case of the animals being purposely run over, motor vehicle charges would also apply. Bottom line - what happened here is horribly wrong. Hopefully the responsible individual will be identified in order to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

Canada Geese and mallard ducks glide through the waters of the tidal creek and sleep in the grass at night. Sometimes they waddle across the street to munch on the green grass on the other side of the roadway.

Someone struck at least three geese and injured another on Tuesday afternoon. Their bodies were left to bake in the hot sun on the roadway. Unfortunately, this happens all too often.

Several other geese were killed over the past month. And Lucy Lu, the only remaining white duck in the pond was killed when some idiot slammed into her and left her to die in the roadway.

The speed limits on that portion of Ocean Gate Drive range from 20 to 25 miles per hour, more than enough time to stop for a little goose or duck.

There is no excuse not to slow down and let them cross. What's 45 seconds out of your day?

Photo credit: Jeff Rosario