Yow! I wonder if it would really attack or it just did that because you were running away. I guess you didn't want to find out, right? They are big birds!

lol...a friend's neighbor used to keep a goose (domestic white) in her front yard as a "guard dog"!!! you just don't mess with them...

This reminded me of seeing my grandmother duck and run from a blue jay who was nesting outside our back door. I didn't even know 'Grandma' could run!

I live just north of Toronto in an area where there is a huge population of Canada geese. I always walk my dog on a paved walking path, which is right beside the tributary to a nearby river. Although my dog is so gentle that she stops to let squirrels and chipmunks cross our path, the Canada geese go nuts when they see a dog and dart out of the water to attack. Sophie has been bitten once (left a huge bruise but didn't break the skin) and almost bitten again recently. I realize the geese are protecting their new babies from what they assume will be a predator, but that just isn't the case here. Oddly enough, ducks will pop out of the water, trailed by all their babies and cross the path only a foot or so from our feet, with no fear whatsoever. Sophie sits perfectly still and waits for them to cross.

My mom used to tell me stories about how the geese on their farm would get after the kids and bite their legs. Geese must be just naturally ornery.

We have a mated pair of Egyptian Geese (beautiful birds!) at the end of our street. Sometimes the two of them will stand right in the middle of the street and the male will chase any car that drives by, first giving a warning by spreading his huge wings to "scare" the car off. It's pretty funny to watch. I'll have to get it on video some time.

Jodi-

Haven't been chased by a C. goose, although we do have a flock that winters nearby.

Couple days ago I started out for a walk. It was extremely windy and I soon decided I should turn around and go home, but I decided to stop and sit for a while in the gazebo. I stepped inside and was bombarded by a robin! He/she flew back and forth over head several times. I looked up in the rafters and sure enough there were 3 nests up there. I decided if I didn't leave I would end up with a nest of robins in my hair. (apologies to Joyce Kilmer.)

Sue

They mean business when they're chasing!

My neighbors' geese wandered into my yard and one of them bit me on the butt, made a big red welt and hurt like heck. I didn't realize their beaks are so sharp.

When my mother was a little girl, living in Canada, the neighbors had a goose. It would attack her every time she went outside to the outhouse. This was in the 30's. It traumatized her badly at the time.

I would be carrying a tennis racket with me, nowadays, if that was happening. I'm not one for abusing animals, but I will protect myself.

There are a pair or two that take up residence at the golf course...they give new meaning to the term water hazard!

oh, my! I've never been attacked by a goose, but DH has and said it hurts hurts hurts!

Got to watch out forbig birds. My DH had a swan try to pick pocket his wallet in Scotland.

Glad you can run fast, mush :-) The other evening my sister was standing out on their dock and a pelican hit her in the head with a wing. I guess it was going to land on the post she was right next to and didn't see her in the dark. Scared the puddin' out of her but she wasn't hurt.

I was chased by a goose at a children's zoo. Now why do they have ornery animals at a children's zoo??

My former inlaws had a farm with domestic geese!

Man, were they mean! I learned to avoid them but if they have a notion to go after you, watch out.

Domestic geese have been used for centuries as watch animals and guards, and are among the most aggressive of all poultry.

patti, I used to volunteer at the zoo.

On Sunday's when they were having an outdoor program, my job was to keep the ornery rooster away.

"Yow! I wonder if it would really attack or it just did that because you were running away."

It was an attack. At this time of the year, the ganders are territorial and will harrass. They do challenge people, but if an adult stands his ground and counter- attacks, the goose will usually yield to the superior size and strength. If not, grab the goose by the neck and it soon realizes who is boss. However, a young child fares differently - its a size thing. One time when I was about 6 years old, a tame gander of ours grabbed be by the seat of my pants as I ran for the gate. He was beating his wings and trying to hold me back and then lunging forward to get a better grip nipping my little behind in the process. My mother was no help - she was laughing too hard. I was scared and did not think it funny.

The main danger from such an attack is eye injury.

When we were kids my Dad used to take us to a pond to feed the ducks. We used to get chased by the white geese all the time. Luckily we were young and spry and just would laugh and run away, but they are scary!!

This is a prime spot to repeat my true story about the city boy visiting his fiancee's family farm. He came running into the house from the car, claiming that the 'chickens' were chasing him. He was scared because, "They were up on their hind legs, coming after me."

Er, 'hind legs'? LOL

LOL! chisue. Hind legs!!!

Well ... had it been, "front legs" ... that would have been even more unusual, no?

o j

P.S. Some auto wreckers ... pardon me for being so behind-the-times ...

... auto recyclers ...

... have used geese as "watchdogs" at their establishments for years.

Successfully, I'm told.

o j

My mother used to tell about the goose on the family farm that chased her everytime she would go to the out house. One time she grabbed the scrub brush next to the back door and her aim was good and she knocked the goose out. Then, she was scared she had killed it and her mother would be mad, but it came to and went about it's business.

Those things can be scarey when they are charging you and hissing. I remember when my niece Jennifer was about 3 and a Canada goose came at her and nipped her.

At my work we have geese by the river. They are pretty nice to me but then I throw bread to them.

SamKaren
your resident DJ