Port Authority plans open house for Canada goose control dog

Public, pet pooches welcome

Humans and canines are welcome, but Canada geese are not, when the Lorain Port Authority introduces its new goose control dog next week.

The Port Authority will hold an open house 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 8, at the its offices, 319 Black River Lane, at Lorain’s Black River Landing waterfront festival site.

The staff will introduce the newly trained female border collie that will harass, but not eat, the Canada geese that leave their waste in the grass and on the trails of Black River Landing. The dog will patrol other Port Authority sites such as Black River Wharf, Riverside Park, Lakeside Landing and the East Pier, which also is known as the Mile-Long Pier.

“As beautiful as geese are, they’re messy,” said Executive Director Tom Brown. “Our sidewalks and lawn are just covered. Through our research, we’ve found a dog is the most humane and accepted way to control wild geese. We’re happy to have her as a member of the team.”

The dog will work with Tiffany McClelland, economic development specialist for the Port Authority. McClelland will train with and care for the dog and the other port staff members will be backup handlers.

“It is of vital importance to the development, growth and potential of our facilities to keep them clean and a place in which the public wants to frequent, so I’m excited to be a part of that solution,” she said.