A homeowners association in Lake Tansi has decided to euthanize geese in the area to protect homeowners. This has sparked concerns among some residents in one of the communities.
HOA Decision to Euthanize Geese
A homeowners association in Lake Tansi has decided to euthanize geese that have populated the area. The association stated they needed to do this to protect the homeowners and the lake. However, some community residents in the Lake Tansi area have raised concerns about killing the Canadian Geese.
According to the HOA, it corresponded with the U.S. Department of Agriculture about removing the geese. The department said the HOA had to euthanize them because relocation was not an option. This is because geese fly, and studies have shown that they usually return from outside of the molt. Moreover, relocating wildlife was not recommended because it could potentially transmit diseases.
Homeowners’ Complaints
According to Gail Kunish, she raised her hand during an association meeting but was ignored. She also stated that the HOA did not mention removing the Lake Tansi geese. Kunish says she does not understand why there was no due process before they euthanized the animals. Moreover, she says the HOA did not take enough preventive measures before deciding.
Kunish said the HOA could have put up pinwheels and coyote silhouettes to deter the geese. They could have also applied grape-flavored spray or allowed the vegetation to grow taller to make it less attractive to the animals. However, the HOA responded with an 11-page document documenting the reasoning behind their decision and referencing research.
HOA’s Response
The HOA stated its actions were made to prevent toxins from spreading in the lake water because of goose droppings. Moreover, it mentioned that the USDA takes similar measures in 40 lakes annually in East Kentucky and East Tennessee. The HOA also mentioned that deterrents like noise-makers, pinwheels, and shoreline fences were ineffective in decreasing the population.
According to the association, they added 69 eggs in spring after getting the permit. They understand some members will see the action as unnecessary or undesirable, but they settled on euthanasia after over a year of deliberation. The HOA had listened to the homeowners’ concerns, consulted experts, and promoted several non-lethal options before the decision.
The association in Lake Tansi says it will apply for an egg-addling permit annually unless the goose population decreases. Nonetheless, homeowners around Lake Tansi created an online petition against the choice to euthanize geese. The petition has received 212 signatures as of July 1, 2024 — one week after it began.
