Police say a driver who ran over the beloved Sullivan’s Pond geese Wednesday evening—killing two of the animals and injuring a third—won't be facing any charges.
The incident occurred just before
According to a press release from Halifax Regional Police, one goose died at the scene. Another was taken to the vet, where it passed away.
The third goose continued swimming to the Sullivan’s Pond island. Its condition is currently being monitored by volunteers.
While a flurry of social media posts by alleged witnesses have claimed the hit-and-run was intentional, police say the male driver didn’t see the geese before striking them.
“Witnesses confirm that speed was not a factor in this incident,” HRP’s press release states. “No charges have been laid.”
So sad to hear about our #Dartmouth geese. They're some of our most popular residents.
— Darren Fisher (@DarrenFisherNS) August 9, 2017
Be mindful out there. This is a busy crossing for all pic.twitter.com/bQMySlualo
Sad to hear that we've lost two of the geese at Sullivan's Pond due to a reckless driver hitting them in their usual crosswalk.
— Sam Austin (@SamAustinD5) August 9, 2017
Oh no, I am so sad. I was just looking at them last night and thinking they are so beautiful and that we are so lucky to have them.
— Gloria McCluskey (@DartmouthG) August 9, 2017
The pond’s domestic white geese are iconic mascots of Dartmouth. They’ve been a visible presence in and around Sullivan’s Pond for decades.
So the news that two of the nine remaining geese were killed by a careless driver has naturally been met with extreme emotion.
People are livid.
Some fucking asshole ran over & killed two geese at Sullivan's Pond? I'm fucking furious.
— Ginger With Attitude (@bealangi) August 9, 2017
They were better pedestrians than most people.
I hope whoever ran over the Sullivan's Pond Geese chokes on their next meal #fuckingidiot #sullivanspond #dartmouth
— Kayla Strickland (@kayystrick) August 9, 2017
I'm not advocating vigilantism, but if if someone catches this sick fuck and drowns them in Sullivan's Pond, I won't be mad. https://t.co/a4foqkhSGB
— Dartmouth Sirens (@DartmouthSirens) August 9, 2017
By coincidence, earlier in the same day Halifax Regional Police and district RCMP released the department's most-recent monthly vehicle/pedestrian collision stats.
There were 20 pedestrians struck by cars in June. That’s double the number of collisions in May and an increase of seven from the same time last year.
In the first six months of
