
From the Times Colonist,October 1, 2016, by Jack Knox
Jeff Krieger of Alternative Wildlife Solutions, a humane animal-control service, was hired by the province a couple of weeks ago to have his Jack Russell terrier, Pixie, dissuade geese from doing what geese do on the legislature lawn.
Of particular concern was the red carpet upon which the royals trod.
Royal visit organizers were worried that geese were going to come make a big mess, Krieger said.
In the days leading up to the royal arrival, Krieger would get the call as soon as the geese alighted, usually early in the morning (when, thankfully, few people were around).
He would release Pixie who, with a bell clanging away, would run the geese off the property.
Pixie is trained to chase away geese, not any other bird.
“The gulls weren’t bothered. The crows weren’t bothered.”
The geese got to the point where they would hear the bell (“It sounds like Christmas when she’s around”), see Krieger in his brightly coloured coat (unlike dogs, birds can see colours) and take off. No need to even let Pixie off the leash.
These are the lengths we go to when we want to put our best foot forward without having to wipe it off.
For more of the story, and other stories, visit the Victoria Times Colonist,
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-royal-tour-ends-today-in-a-capital-flurry-1.2356091
Jeff Krieger of Alternative Wildlife Solutions, a humane animal-control service, was hired by the province a couple of weeks ago to have his Jack Russell terrier, Pixie, dissuade geese from doing what geese do on the legislature lawn.
Of particular concern was the red carpet upon which the royals trod.
Royal visit organizers were worried that geese were going to come make a big mess, Krieger said.
In the days leading up to the royal arrival, Krieger would get the call as soon as the geese alighted, usually early in the morning (when, thankfully, few people were around).
He would release Pixie who, with a bell clanging away, would run the geese off the property.
Pixie is trained to chase away geese, not any other bird.
“The gulls weren’t bothered. The crows weren’t bothered.”
The geese got to the point where they would hear the bell (“It sounds like Christmas when she’s around”), see Krieger in his brightly coloured coat (unlike dogs, birds can see colours) and take off. No need to even let Pixie off the leash.
These are the lengths we go to when we want to put our best foot forward without having to wipe it off.
For more of the story, and other stories, visit the Victoria Times Colonist,
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-royal-tour-ends-today-in-a-capital-flurry-1.2356091