Geese Killings Prompt Police Investigation In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — Police are trying to identify the driver responsible for running over five geese crossing Maxim Southard Road Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m., a car struck the geese as they were crossing Maxim Southard Road in the vicinity of Echo Lake Park, police said.

Police are not aware of witnesses to the incident. But some people who were fishing nearby said a silver car was involved.

If anyone has any information regarding the vehicle and or driver that struck the geese, call the police non-emergency phone number at 732-938-4111 or contact police through the department website at www.howellpolice.org.

Canada geese are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects migratory birds under agreements with various nations, including Canada.

Penalties for killing the geese can range up to six months in jail and include fines.

New Jersey hosts a variety of migratory geese, according to a birding site, Bird Advisors.

Nine of the 13 species of geese found in North America have been spotted in New Jersey, the site says. Canada Geese and Brant are seen here all year. The rest are present in winter, the site notes.

In 2021, a Brick Township man was sentenced to two years of probation for running over a family of Canada geese in a Toms River parking lot. Five geese — adult geese and goslings — were run over in the parking lot at Indian Head Plaza in Toms River on May 29, 2019. Toms River police were told a driver had deliberately hit the geese and had driven off.