Trained dog aids in control of campus Canada geese population

Kolet Buenavides
Staff Writer

   For the last several years, Canadian geese have been taking over Muskingum College's campus, and this year the college administration decided to do something about it.

   The answer was Dee, a fully-trained stock dog.

   The geese originally became a problem at the college because they weren't migrating. Years ago, ODNR nesting programs increased the geese population and ensured that they never leave, and as a result, Muskingum and the village of New Concord were inundated by geese.

   In an effort to solve the various problems caused by geese on campus - such as geese feces on walkways - Ransom Clark, Vice President for Administration, contacted various schools suffering the same dilemma. Many suggested acquiring a dog trained for herding sheep and other animals from a well-respected trainer in northwest Ohio. Thus the college found its resident geese-herding dog, Dee. Dee is under the direct care of Mike Kruzan, who works for the collegešs Physical Plant. Dee's job is to harass the geese and force them into the water until they find living in the campus uncomfortable.

   So far, Dee's efforts seem to be working.

   Dee has successfully decreased the geese population on campus and greatly reduced the geese feces on the sidewalks.

   "The geese recognize my truck, and before I even let Dee out, I can see all the geese running into the water," Kruzan said.

   Kruzan said that Dee was worth the price for which she was paid, since the is doing what the college needed done ­ and others around campus agree.

   "I thought it was stupid when I heard that the school bought a dog to work for them, but when I saw her running around and chasing the geese in the water, I was grateful that I don't always have to jump over poop on the sidewalks to get to places," said Debra Swaro, an administrative assistant in the admissions office.

   Dee has also become a member of the college community. Dee has boundless amounts of energy and is very sociable. She can sometimes be seen playing Frisbee with the Stag boys. She loves to run and join in everything that she can.

   Dee does not require a treat every time she scares the geese away and is fed whenever she gets hungry. She has adapted well to living inside, since she was used to staying in kennels. She also finds ways to amuse herself alone by bouncing a tennis ball and catching it herself.

   "Dee is very friendly and always wants to please," Kruzan said. "She gets along with everyone. She is getting spoiled by the girls at the office, and even my wife has fallen in love with her."

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