Photo: Courtesy of the City of Watertown.
WATERTOWN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — One pup is about to mean all business when it comes to ruffling the feathers of some geese that have become a problem for the City of Watertown.
"Vee" the Border Collie is being tasked with monitoring the fields and charging at geese, forcing those who have overstayed their welcome in Watertown to migrate elsewhere.
Photo: Courtesy of the City of Watertown.
"From a cost/benefit perspective, this is far more effective than any alternative plan. It’s also considered the most humane strategy for goose removal. While this solution is often used by golf courses and private resorts, there are a few municipal governments who have also followed this strategy," the city said in a statement.
In terms of Vee's training, she has experience working with ducks and sheep, remaining close to her handler where she currently resides in Leesburg, Virginia. Soon, the Watertown Department of Public Works will travel south to pick her up as an official employee of Watertown, living with city workers and being paid for by the animal control unit fund.
City officials say that while the method is expected to be expensive to maintain, it's the most environmentally friendly and effective solution to scaring off hordes of problem geese and eventually get them to recognize that the Watertown fields are off limits for loitering.
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On its website, the city details all of Vee's commands and her likes and dislikes, including new people, other dogs, and excessively loud noises. Her joys come in the form of bully sticks and puppy chow.
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