A stupid solution

What a dumb, stupid thing for the county to do in killing geese in North Park ("A Wild Goose Chase Ends in Death for 272," July 18). I understand the nuisance level of the geese. I grew up in the area and still go through the park on a variety of occasions.

Yes, there are a lot of geese and, yes, they probably cause some trouble. It is, however, ridiculous to kill them when there are probably dozens if not hundreds of humane wildlife organizations that would have taken the animals.

I am not a crazy animal rights person, but this is more than an animal rights issue. This is another issue involving government stupidity. This county and the city of Pittsburgh are administered by a bunch of buffoons.

In a time when the mayor can't seem to get the stars out of his eyes and the county executive can't seem to keep the buses running, the county has no qualms about jumping into another public relations blunder by killing 272 geese because they poop a lot. All it would have taken to solve this problem would have been some contacts to organizations in the United States and Canada, which, I am certain, would have been happy to come down and take the geese to another habitat.

But, of course, that makes too much sense.

STEVEN BITTLE
Monroeville

Placing blame

I'm certain that Andy Baechle, Allegheny County parks director, is going to be catching all kinds of grief from people upset about the recent and necessary goose kill at North Park. Too bad folks don't send that anger in the right direction -- at the idiots who feed the geese! That's right, if you're guilty of feeding the geese, you're completely guilty of their deaths.

Congratulations! The geese have been fed so much that they don't even migrate any more. Guess you never noticed those big signs informing you that it's illegal to feed the geese. And, by the way, has anyone ever, I mean ever, been fined for feeding the geese in any of the county parks? A few $300 fines might have averted this entire debacle.

JOHN HINDERLITER
Bethel Park

Thanks, whiners

I'd like to thank the North Hills idiot yuppies who complained about the geese at North Park. Because of you, nearly 300 beautiful animals have been slaughtered. Instead of teaching your children the wonders of video games and the next new gadget, teach them of the wonders of nature and about respect and compassion for every living thing. I apologize -- where was my head? Those of you who complained about the geese never were taught that lesson either. Thank your parents for me.

DON BARKER
Elliot

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