Officials investigating deaths of more than two dozen Canada Geese at apartment complex

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Local, state and Federal investigators are looking into the suspicious deaths of more than two dozen Canada Geese inside a Johns Creek apartment complex.

Neighbors at the Estates at Johns Creek complex reached out to Channel 2′s Mike Petchenik with concerns after finding the dead birds.

“We had two sets of parents who had 4 geese each,” said Janeen Cook. “We’ve had a lot of geese and have been able to watch them grow up.”

Cook said she often spotted the large water birds on her morning walk through the neighborhood.

“They would fly to me, waddle to me. I’d be surrounded,” she said.

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Last week, neighbors were horrified to find dead birds dotting the landscape.

“It’s just a shock that they are all gone and that somebody decided this was a good idea,” said Cook. “I cannot believe they are all gone. It just sickens me that somebody would think that amount of wildlife needed to leave our earth because it was beautiful to have them there.”

Cook said she found a sign on a park bench warning people to watch their own animals because “poison” had been put down near the lake.

“We have no idea what happened,” said neighbor Amanda Keys. “It’s heartbreaking that someone would do that to these innocent animals.”

Department of Natural Resources spokesman, Mark McKinnon, sent Petchenik a statement about the investigation:

“A suspect has been identified. We are not releasing a name at this time since the investigation is still active. USFW and EPA are working with GA DNR Game Wardens on the investigation. Twenty-six deceased geese were collected and we are waiting on toxicology reports on those geese to determine cause of death.”

McKinnon said the toxicology report could take several weeks, and when the results are ready, the suspect could be facing charges.

“They need to be prosecuted. Something needs to happen,” said Keys. “I mean, you can’t just do this to innocent animals and get away with it. That’s terrible.”

Cox Media Group