SALISBURY, Md. - The USDA Wildlife Services division confirms that 362 Canada geese were removed from Salisbury for overpopulation concerns.
Public Affairs Specialist Tanya Espinosa says the euthanization came at the request of the city. However, Salisbury Mayor Jake Day says that is not the case.
While Day did not wish to comment any further on the situation, he tells WBOC his office did not request to have the geese removed.
Espinosa says the USDA investigates whether problems are caused because of excessive populations of geese before taking action.
But those like Dan Hinkley say it's unfortunate that the situation was handled in that way.
"I remember when they did it in Ocean Pines and I didn't like it then either. I know they've got a way of taking over, they do take over an area, and you've got to do something about it. But I think there's got to be a better way," Hinkley said.
But Charles Foster was fishing on Tuesday and said he was bothered by the geese, and what they inevitably leave behind.
"I mean you can hardly walk, you know, dodging poop all over," Foster said.
While some suggested maybe moving the geese may have been a better alternative to removing the geese through euthanization, Foster says that may not have been possible.
"Cause they keep coming back, you shoo them away and they come back 15 minutes later," Foster said.
Espinosa says the meat from the birds was donated to local food shelters. But the Salvation Army's food pantry said no meat has been donated at this time.