BAY CITY -- In Bay City, commissioners are reviewing a petition that would allow residents to feed the wildlife at city parks.
The city says feeding the geese creates a sanitary and safety issue. But a lady called the “Goose Whisperer” says it's all about educating the public about local wildlife.
Veterans Memorial Park in Bay City is filled with hundreds of Canadian Geese.
The city says what once was a novelty has now become a nuisance.
"Now we have literally hundreds and hundreds of geese in our downtown parks, and based on this years hatch, there is going to be more next year," said the Deputy City Manager of Community Development, Steven Black.
The city says one of the reasons these birds like to stick around is because residents like Mary Neal love to feed them.
"God is in the whole situation here, he's put me here for a reason, and these animals are here for a reason," said the Goose Whisperer, Mary Neal.
Last week Neal handed city commissioners a petition, asking them to make the park a goose haven, so residents can continue to feed the birds.
"There was three commissioners dead set on not having the geese here because of all kinds of problems," said Neal.
Problems like goose guano, every bird averages a pound and a half of droppings per day, and it’s made its mark all over Vets Park.
Because of the Tall Ships Celebration, Bay City actually had to spend money to clean up these sidewalks; it's something the city says they just had to do.
Neal says she knows it's a problem so she feeds the birds on the grass.
"I try to get them off the sidewalk, what happens after I’m gone, I can't stop that," said Neal.
But some Bay City Commissioners want it stopped, they're discussing an ordinance that would put an end to feeding the wildlife, and for people who continue to do so, a possible fine for feeding their feathered friends.
"I hope they don't, this is the only place I feed them, at Vets Park, it's the only place they congregate," said Neal.
Neal says feeding the birds is an educational tool for kids who come to Vets Park because it teaches them about wildlife, something they can't learn in a book.
On the flip side the city says feeding the birds has made them lose their fear of humans and they've become more aggressive, especially towards children.
Bay City Commissioners will be discussing the new ordinance at their next meeting a week from Monday.
