Canada geese problem and dogs.

[Sprocker101]

I have an issue with a friends pond in his rural 2 acre garden. All three of his dogs have been ill recently showing signs of some sort of infection levels after blood tests with differing symptoms.

One had the runs but other than that fine, one vomiting and lethargic, and the other had a small cut that didn’t stop bleeding lung due to low platelets.

Obviously being dogs, at some point they’ve been hoovering up the geese mess with great glee…

Could this be from the geese? And how do we go about encouraging them to vacate?

They have had young and don’t want to go anywhere.

Thanks for any advise.

 

[jacre1993]

Geese tend to return to the same spot to breed each year …. Not always but generally.

you may not be able to shift them this year until they make the decision themselves , likely be end of July .early August .

By that point there will be a lot a lot more goose crap as the young will be getting more involved!!!!

Personally , I’d make use of the general license if they are causing a problem or the problems gonna get a lot worse.

If not , put up with them this year , and deal with the pair when they return next year.

 

[Sprocker101]

Thanks for the reply, my only question would be, does this constitute being within the GL42? Technically, there is no crop, or fishery, however they are on inland waters and they are eroding the banks as a sidebar

 

[Bo Diddley]

And how do we go about encouraging them to vacate?

.22 Hornet & 35grn Vmax usually does it

 

[jacre1993]

Thanks for the reply, my only question would be, does this constitute being within the GL42? Technically, there is no crop, or fishery, however they are on inland waters and they are eroding the banks as a sidebar

There are many licenses …. One covers the poop for disease I believe …. Along those lines …. But for the reason you’ve stated above , usually for humans …. I know we don’t eat it like a dog , but kids may play in the area!!!
Better to be safe

 

[Smellydog]

Get them shot.

 

[Sprocker101]

Ah yes that’s GL41 I think. The kids Definely play there ( not when it’s weather like today tho!)

 

[kenbro]

If there’s any there next year, oil their eggs to stop them hatching.
Kb.

 

[Smellydog]

Chap near me said his Mrs , from town, doesn't want the geese shot in spring.
Now they and their young are scoffing off acres of spring barley and he wants them gone. No can do, they are to mobile now with goslings and very keen! Can't get near them due to many factors.

 

[Chris Richardson]

.222 works well but really theres a very easy fix to this , get a .410 cartridge open up the end and sprinkle a dozen pellets out , according to the experts on here all geese and every other bird for 2 square miles will be dead within seconds ............

 

[shakey jake]

If your friend is worried about slipping on the guano, get them shot.
Kill the adults first, then clear up the young.
Gl41 covers this

 

[Buchan]

I don't think it's th geese but Id wonder if they were unfortunate with the "Alabama rot

 

[Sprocker101]

I don't think it's th geese but Id wonder if they were unfortunate with the "Alabama rot

That was talked about, but not suspected according to the vet.

 

[Steve.243]

Might be worth taking a look at the lake to make sure it's not blue-green algae or such like. Hope all the dogs are OK now.

 

[Sprocker101]

Might be worth taking a look at the lake to make sure it's not blue-green algae or such like. Hope all the dogs are OK now.

Thanks, dog seem fine now.

 

[Camdig]

Does the pond have algae?

 

[Sprocker101]

Does the pond have algae?

Nope

 

[Cootmeurer]

Not discounting lethal means, or oiling eggs.

But if you want geese to leave these are some successful non lethal methods
1st, leave the grass high. Geese absolutely love being able to walk straight out of the water onto a putting green, with all the new shoots to graze. Leave it at least ankle (your ankle ) high and let it naturally mature
2nd - there are some sprays, most use some form of fermented egg to impart a bad taste to grass.
3rd - turn the dogs out often snd Harry the geese. If the dogs won’t, Harry them yourself. Waterhouse, squirt gun, general annoyance.
Dont do any of the above during the summer molt, becuase they really can’t leave then. Harass the,when they are are physically capable of departing

 

[enfieldspares]

The General Licence GL41 as well as the often better known GL42 permits Canada Geese to be killed out of season by legal means. I had very bad fouling problems from them whe I had my pond. You could get twenty of thirty of the things flying in and there were two pairs nesting on the island. To shoot them whe they are stood about go on You Tube and watch America turkey shooting videos. Small shot, tight chokes (the tighter the better) and shot pattern centred on the head.

If shooting isn't a possibility discourage them from landing. This might be by repeated chasing them off or by other means such as wires of strings. In any case you've my profound sympathy as even if you do shoot them the what to dispose of the carcasses? In the end, on my pond, we just left them as we doidn't want the boundary woodland full of rotting geese bodies and them attracting carrion or vermin.

As, luckily, you've only the pair then get them killed and kill the offspring. They might even make reasonable eating. The adults are breast meat worthy only. Oiling eggs? Prick them. Which at distance if you can see them? A .177" air rifle does that job!

 

[enfieldspares]

Thanks for the reply, my only question would be, does this constitute being within the GL42? Technically, there is no crop, or fishery, however they are on inland waters and they are eroding the banks as a sidebar

Ignore GL42 it's no use to you in your described circumstance and anyway there's more than one way to kill a cat (which is why they have nine lives).

As the OP themselves eventually arrived at. Use GL41. Slip or trip hazard plus etc., etc.. No need to consider the dogs. Its slips and trips. And spread of diseases as the muck attracts flies which then, the flies, are the vector for the spread of diseases.

GL41: general licence to kill or take certain species of wild birds to preserve public health or public safety​

Reference: WML-GL41.

Date of issue: 1 January 2026.

This licence is valid for one year from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Permitted target species (scientific name)	Slips and falls	Spread of disease to humans	Safety issues with birds nesting
Canada goose (Branta canadensis)	Yes	Yes	Yes