Peapack and Gladstone residents and business owners are divided on the town’s plan to exterminate geese due to health and safety concerns. While some support the decision, others are outraged by it. Peapack-Gladstone officials claim that this drastic step is necessary due to the challenges posed by the geese in the Somerset County borough.
One resident has expressed opposition to the plan, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing humane alternatives over inhumane methods. They have suggested that the council explore alternative solutions before resorting to euthanization. Another resident has shared their initiative to work with a drone operator to chase away the geese effectively, highlighting the community’s collective effort to find alternative solutions.
The borough has stated that excessive droppings from geese pose a health and safety issue, despite previous attempts to control the geese population using methods like dogs, lights, and spray. Peapack and Gladstone Council Member Jamie Murphy has approached the United States Department of Agriculture with concerns, leading to the decision to euthanize the geese starting with their eggs. The council’s decision was made during a meeting on March 5th, sparking a petition on Change.org titled “Stop Peapack-Gladstone from killing Canada Geese at Liberty Park” with over 2,500 signatures.
While residents are actively seeking alternative solutions and advocating for a more compassionate approach, community members are divided on whether euthanization is necessary or if there are other options available for managing the geese population in Peapack and Gladstone.
The controversy surrounding this plan reflects how important it is for communities to balance environmental concerns with ethical practices when it comes to wildlife management.