It’s hard to ignore the situation.
With Long Island schools dealing with persistent issues from geese, they’ve found some inventive ways to tackle the problem.
In the Levittown Island Tree District, they’ve enlisted Tuck, a well-trained flock of collies, who help chase off hundreds of geese from the fields.
Principal Ackerman often praises the four-year-old black-and-white dog, who effectively follows commands amid his daily responsibilities.
“I’ve seen the field completely covered with droppings, but Tuck just runs, makes a quick turn, and clears it out in seconds,” Ackerman explains.
There used to be quite a lot of goose waste, and even the kids have noticed a difference when they come back from breaks. It’s amusing to mention, but it’s really a significant issue, especially when the kids are getting dressed.
Short for his home state of Kentucky, Tuck has become a vital part of daily routines. Ackerman adds, “I say ‘me’ when I want him to move around the geese, and ‘Kambai’ when I want to train him like the sheepdogs.”
His commands are quite tailored; for instance, if she wants him to pay closer attention, she’ll say “shh, shh, shh,” which prompts Tuck to follow through on his task.
Ackerman highlights that Tuck’s presence, alongside handlers at all the schools, has proven to be a more cost-effective solution compared to hiring professional services, especially since they adopted him in April 2024.
“They’ll clear the area, but the geese tend to come back later in the day,” she notes, indicating that the district thinks the investment will pay off within a year, although specifics about the costs aren’t provided.
Having a goose control measure at school isn’t as straightforward as it might seem, with considerations for nights and weekends. Ackerman and her husband, eager for a dog but worried about their work schedules, quickly learned that Tuck had his own needs that couldn’t be ignored even on their days off.
“We need to engage him, so we’ve been exploring all kinds of activities,” she explains. “My husband taught him to fetch, and it feels like he’s really working for his reward.” Tuck is not just a dedicated groundskeeper; he has also gained a bit of a “celebrity” status among the students.
“I realized how much the kids adore him, and the joy he brings is something I hadn’t anticipated,” Ackerman shared.
Teachers, too, appreciate their interactions with Tuck. “On tough days, it’s hard to stay upset when you see a dog rolling around, and I just want to pet him,” one teacher mentioned.
