CENTERVILLE – When a couple of geese took up residence about seven years ago at The Reserve at Miller Farm apartments in Centerville, maintenance technician John Marker didn’t pay much heed.
However, when their numbers swelled, sometimes to more than 150, it became troublesome.
“They ate the grass seed,” Marker said. “There was (feces) all over the parking lot.”
Residents complained about the mess and worried about disease from the droppings.
Fishing twine was put around the pond. Fake alligator heads were bought. Lights were put in areas to scare them off. The geese didn’t take the hint.
Finally, in desperation, who did they call?
The Goose Buster.
Mark Dormire, owner of the Goose Buster, and his trained Labrador retrievers began making visits, sometimes at night, sometimes early in the morning to chase the geese.
When the geese tried to take refuge in the pond the dogs were quick to follow.
Properties with ponds for run-off often attract geese, Dormire said.
Dormire, who builds golf courses, noticed motionless devices such as alligator heads, appeared ineffective.
That’s when Dormire, who owns Labrador retrievers, started The Goose Buster.
The dogs are trained to chase the geese, and then return to him.
“They’re extremely well-trained,” he said. “They go by signals and obey commands.”
Dormire said using the dogs is a humane method of keeping geese away from a property.
Marker said large numbers of geese no longer linger at The Reserve. When a few arrive, he calls Dormire, who makes a visit.
“The geese are gone,” Marker said.