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 #1809847


Flamingflower
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 Sad

I saw a small flock of Canadian geese congregated around a man-made lake while I was out walking a few days ago. On my way back home I passed by them again...and to my horror about five or six of them were trying to cross the 4 lane road!

They were crossing in the middle of a hill, one of the factors making it even more unsafe. A man slowed down in his truck, allowing the first and second to pass. The third waited until they were across before trying meet up with them again; but by this time the traffic light had changed again downhill, I’m assuming, because traffic picked up. She got nearly all the way across before an idiot came speeding down the hill. To make matters worse, he was talking on the cell phone. He saw the goose, but didn’t slow down or even change lanes (which would’ve solved the whole problem, basically.) He didn’t seem to care at all. The poor goose became frightened and tried to make a dodge away a moment too late; he actually sped up when he saw her I think- and after his front tire caught her he just continued driving.
I was shocked and infuriated that anyone could be so coldhearted towards another life, although I know just how heartless, savage, cruel, and selfish some human beings can be. The gander, her mate, who had waited before crossing, then rushed over to where she lay in the middle of the road and started to scream and honk until her body stilled at last. I felt numb all over; and later on I wished I had yelled or threw a rock through his window, lol- but I know for sure that it took that poor bird at least 45 seconds before she actually died. I hope that there were no young children who saw it. The geese, obviously distraught, finally moved on down the sidewalk opposite, and the woman in the car who had waited for them to all pass went around the body,not wanting to run over it, so I wanted to move it at least to the side of the road, so that no scavengers of any sort would get hurt trying to eat the carcass. I was denied in doing so by my parents, who were with me at the time. They told me I would need more than a twig to move it with- I had my umbrella, which I’m fine with throwing away, but I was told I would get blood on it...there was no blood that I could see- but then it wasn’t safe because people wouldn’t be able to see me on the hill, and might run over me (which was partly true)- so, despite my persistance, I was told to leave it there, and we walked back home. They told me later that someone else had moved it when they were over there last, but I haven’t walked there since it happened. Also, after the gander had joined the others, a last goose tried flying across, and nearly got clipped by a person’s windshield.
My mother brought to thought that had we gotten the guy’s license plate, maybe he’d have faced charges for speeding at the very least. I really wrestled with the idea of posting this, as I know that you guys already have enough to worry about. What I wanted to ask if anyone knew a way to get those signs put out for the crossing of animals, like the yellow ones you see warning people to watch out for deer and such. I’m guessing you would have to write a letter to the city? I am not sure if the geese cross there often (not very familiar with the area.)

It was an incident I would hope to never experience again, as I love all animals, both wild and domestic.
07/26/08  09:14pm

 #1809853


Flamingflower
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   Message To: Flamingflower   In reference to Message Id: 1809847


 Sad

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to know if anyone knew of any way to get those signs put out. If no, then I just wanted to make sure that it would be safer for crossing in the future. They probably won’t try it again though.
07/26/08  09:19pm

 #1809889


Rebecca Wright
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   Message To: Flamingflower   In reference to Message Id: 1809853


 Sad

That is sooo sad! I fell so sorry for the mate :( There might be a way to get the signs changed... perhaps calling the local police department could help... at least they could point you in the right direction GL!
07/26/08  09:43pm

 #1811110


William kimmy
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   Message To: Rebecca Wright   In reference to Message Id: 1809889


 Sad

stupid people...i hate the ones that dont care if an animal is hurt or is goin to get hurt..ive seen pretty bad animal crueties..and i wanna stop that!its sooo evil...ive saved a pigeon,and a crow once from some kids that were throwing rocks at them when they had broken wings...it was sad.



07/27/08  11:10pm

 #1811150


Flamingflower
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   Message To: William kimmy   In reference to Message Id: 1811110


 Sad

I haven’t seen any geese trying to cross again so far (I went by there yesterday). There are more at the lake now though- I’m guessing that they are having a little congregation before they prepare to migrate, or maybe it is a favorite spot. I wish people would stop being so selfish. That man would have only had to wait like thirty seconds (OR LESS!) for the goose to walk across the road. I could see if he hadn’t been able to stop, like if he were on the interstate and she (the goose) had flew in front of him, but he had ample time to slow down and wait!



07/28/08  12:17am

 #1811152


TutThePlatedLizard
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   Message To: William kimmy   In reference to Message Id: 1811110


 Sad

i’d ask the police dept about the sign, we got a slow children one for our street because we had like 10 kids that always played outside and people always sped through.

i’ve seen stuff like that before, i once saw the same thing happen to a duck in a fancy neighborhood, it was terrible.
07/28/08  12:19am

 #1811483


Flamingflower
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   Message To: TutThePlatedLizard   In reference to Message Id: 1811152


 Sad

Ok, thanks for the replies. We will check with the police dept.
07/28/08  12:22pm


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