DOUGLASVILLE, Ga.,None — Douglasville residents say they have a major problem with geese.
Residents complain that the geese have taken over Hunter Park on Gurley Road.
"It's just a mess, and it's a little freighting," said Shaletha Rose.
Park visitors said there are goose droppings all over the place and the geese can be aggressive.
Channel 2's Erica Byfield reached out to the Douglasville City Manager to find out what is being done about the issue.
"We would like for all of them to go, but of course they are a protected species under federal and state law, so it's not like we can go get rid of them like you would some other kind of pest," said city manager Bill Osborne.
It is estimated that more than 200 geese live in the park.
Osborne said the city reopened Hunter Park this year, and when they did, the geese returned.
Osborne said residents have complained to the Mayor, City Council, Parks Director and his office about the foul odor.
One woman that Byfield met at the park Wednesday said she did not mind the geese. "The kids love to feed the geese ... it's OK. It just comes with the territory I think," said Tammy Dewberry.
On its website, the Department of Natural Resources suggests removing geese with tactics like loud noises and mylar balloons.
The Douglasville City Council plans to address the geese concerns at its July 28 Council Meeting.
WSBTV
