Category Archives: Richa Awasthi Foster City Councilmember

By Michael G. Stogner

Foster City Council does it again. Wow what an exciting Plan.

TODAY: Foster City To Be Cited for Gander Slander at Goose Massacre Protest

The National Goose Protection Coalition will hand-deliver a Gander Slander citation for Foster City. Image: Sofia Lacerda

FOSTER CITY, Calif. (July 25, 2022) — In Defense of Animals’ National Goose Protection Coalition has issued a Gander Slander citation to the Council of Foster City for approving plans to kill up to 100 Canada geese. Outraged Foster City residents and local goose advocates spoke up for Foster City geese during the city council meeting on July 18 to no avail, as reported by NBC. In Defense of Animals and local goose advocates will protest this controversial decision and hand-deliver a Gander Slander citation on Monday, July 25 at city hall. 

“Foster City’s decision to break the necks of up to 100 geese is despicable — and it won’t work,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director at In Defense of Animals. “New geese will be attracted to plentiful resources in the area, and the killing cycle will start all over again. Nonlethal goose stewardship practices are available now, but the Council of Foster City chose to kill innocent animals instead. That’s why our National Goose Protection Coalition charged the agency with Gander Slander. Compassion must be a guiding principle for decisions related to the wellbeing of geese, who are our wild animal neighbors.”

According to Foster City’s July 18 Canada Goose Population Management Plan Update, the city plans to spend $86,240.00 to kill up to 100 geese, which amounts to $860 per goose, an astronomical waste of taxpayer funds. 

“We urge the council to accept the generous offer from the Animal Protection League of New Jersey, an esteemed member of our coalition that specializes in nonlethal goose-human conflict resolution,” continued Levinson. On July 20, the Animal Protection League of New Jersey offered to pay for a panel of experts in landscape restoration and modern technology to develop an effective non-lethal program to allow human coexistence with wildlife.

“My family, my neighbors, and I are appalled to learn that our representatives are deciding to kill a large number of wildlife against the wishes of the citizens and against the advice of multiple wildlife experts and organizations,” said 25-year Foster City resident Chanah Angelica Kamen in her letter to the Mayor and Council of Foster City on July 20. 

“I was present for the meeting on Monday, and it is clear to me that this council is disregarding a large number of alternative non-lethal methods, as if we are in a time-sensitive crisis. There is no such crisis. My family and I have lived here for so long, and never have we found issue with these innocent animals, who deserve our care, rather than cruelty, for simply existing,” continued Kamen. “We do not want this hasty and wrongful decision bringing shame to our community.”

The Council of Foster City has received opposition emails from over 15,000 In Defense of Animals supporters, urging them to cancel the cruel and ineffective goose massacre. Geese are generally killed in summer when they molt and cannot fly away. It’s also when they have their babies, making them especially vulnerable to heartless and violent trap and kill plans. Foster City plans to kill goose families by breaking their necks. 

Goose massacres are repeated annually because they are a temporary solution. When geese are trapped and killed, new geese repopulate the same area since they are attracted to plentiful resources of food, water, and shelter. Non-lethal strategies such as landscape modifications and changes in human behavior provide a permanent, effective, long-term solution that doesn’t involve animal cruelty.

“What boggles my mind is how long I have had to fight a bunch of city officials to not kill animals for no reason,” said protest organizer Erik Allen. “Geese aren’t raising bacteria levels, look at the results. It’s stagnant Bay water. Too much poop on the ground? Ok, hire people to pick it up so residents don’t have to worry about their kids eating it. Many cities battle reports of sidewalk poop, yet no one thought to kill dogs, not even when they stepped in their poop. Experts on the issue have offered advice, resources, money, and time, but instead Foster City’s council cut corners and gave up because they are so thirsty for the blood of baby animals.” 

In Defense of Animals’ National Goose Protection Coalition issues Gander Slander citations to decision-makers who choose lethal measures when long-term, effective, nonlethal stewardship practices are readily available. The Coalition was formed in 2019 to help concerned citizens stop goose cruelty in their communities.

The National Goose Protection Coalition has issued a Gander Slander citation. Image: In Defense of Animals

In Defense of Animals and Foster City residents are protesting to stop Foster City from becoming the goose slaughtering capital of California.

What: Let the Foster City Geese Live Protest & Exhibition

Where: City Hall of Foster City, 610 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404

When: Monday, July 25, 4:15 – 6:30 p.m. PT

Who: In Defense of Animals and Foster City residents

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/389078696655460 

Members of the public are encouraged to attend this peaceful demonstration against the merciless plan to kill geese and goslings because of their droppings, and to take action to stop this massacre: 

• RSVP on the Facebook event page  
• Take action to stop Foster City killing geese and goslings
• Find nonlethal goose stewardship strategies at: www.stopgooseabuse.org

Images and video of protests to Let Geese Live in Foster City:

• June 16 protest video free for use with credit: https://youtu.be/puA3YmDJdY
• May 22 protest images and video free for use with credit: https://bit.ly/FosterCityMay22GooseDem
• Images of goose roundups, free for use with credit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWfmPKu

Contacts:

• In Defense of Animals, Lisa Levinson, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130
• Erik Allen, hopefullysomedaysoon@gmail.com, 707-695-4799

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin county, California with over 250,000 supporters and a 39-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/geese