The flock of Canadian Geese crowding San Quentin’s lower yard has near-doubled over the past few weeks. More than likely, the new residents are the same geese that previously lounged on H-Unit’s yard, until a duo of fanged guard dogs were deployed to run off the pesky honkers.
The dogs used to chase the geese from the H-Unit yard are imitations, created by inmate John Norris.
“It took me two days to make each dog from old toilet paper boxes,” said Norris. “I used discarded potato chip bags and old mirrors to make the tails reflective, which helps to scare the geese off.”
The idea for the cardboard canines came from the H-Unit yard officers who were unhappy with the mess that the annoying geese left behind, fouling up the walkways and recreation areas. A correctional officer asked if Norris if could make a replica dog after seeing a model Harley Davidson motorcycle he made in the prison’s hobby craft program. Norris told the officer he would give it try and the first dog was put to the test a week later.
“The dogs are working,” said an officer, who asked not to be named. “When the geese are flying in, they see the dogs and turn around.”
The geese are native to North America. Loss of habitat and over-hunting in its native range caused a large decline in their numbers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, according to Wikipedia.
However, today their numbers are on the rise and they have become a nuisance in many California communities, including San Quentin.
The administration has received a donation and is looking to purchase 5 plastic decoy dogs for permanent placement on the prison yards, according to Associate Warden Kelly Mitchell.
The geese aggressively beg and aggravate inmates and staff. They also leave a substantial amount of droppings that are known to harness bacteria
Until there is a permanent solution to the goose problem, Norris says he plans to keep making his cardboard and newspaper canines, although he admits they probably will not survive when the rain starts falling.
