Alleged Canada Goose Beating Under Investigation In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Accusations that a family beat a Canada goose and either took or destroyed her eggs are under investigation, Lakewood police said Thursday.

The accusations made the rounds on social media over the weekend, after a photo was posted of a family who allegedly was leaving the area after having beaten the goose. The photo, posted on multiple Facebook pages, included allegations that the incident happened near a business on Cedar Bridge Avenue. The post also alleged the incident was witnessed from a nearby office window, but the witness did not have video.

In addition to Facebook groups, the incident also was discussed in a Reddit group. An animal rights activist went to the site and said she reported the incident to the state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Canada geese are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects migratory birds under agreements with various nations, including Canada. Under the act, the federal government has set regulations that make it illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid federal permit, according to a Taft Law report.

Penalties for killing the geese can range up to six months in jail and include fines; a Manasquan man was fined $1,000 in 2009 for shooting and killing a Canada goose that was pooping on his deck, NJ.com reported.

Lakewood Police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith on Thursday said the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Lakewood Police Department's Quality of Life Unit were investigating.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Sgt. Kenneth Burdge at 732-363-0200 or the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 609-292-2965, he said.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Lakewood Patch on Facebook.