HOBOKEN, NJ — A Canada goose that was struck by an ebike rider after Hoboken’s Sept. 11 ceremony this month has died, an official told Patch on Tuesday.
Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, who helped take the goose to the Wild Bird Fund in New York City after it was injured, forwarded a letter from the fund saying the bird did not survive.
READ MORE: Hoboken Man Charged After Striking Goose With Ebike
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Fisher had written, in her newsletter on Tuesday morning, “On 9/11, shortly after the memorial service on Pier A had ended, several community members witnessed a disturbing act: a man on an e-bike intentionally struck a Canadian goose with the bike, breaking its leg.
“One of our neighbors quickly and compassionately captured the stunned and injured goose, and I personally drove them to the Wild Bird Fund just before they closed.”
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As Patch reported on Saturday, Andrew Mullins, 30, of Hoboken, was arrested that day and charged with cruelty to animals, and was given a summons for an ebike violation.
Fisher wrote, “The vet informed us that the injury—a broken femur—was severe, and the goose would likely need to be put down. I am awaiting confirmation from them on this. Thankfully, the Hoboken Police Department responded swiftly …This follows another troubling incident two months ago, where a neighbor allowed their dog to chase, attack, and kill a goose on Maxwell Beach, an incident that was caught on video and widely circulated on social media. I reached out to the Hoboken Police, and I believe this will remain an isolated event.”
She added, “We cannot tolerate aggression toward animals, whether it’s wildlife or our pets. In my opinion, it speaks volumes about the character of someone who is willing to harm an animal.”
When asked about the goose, Fisher shared with Patch a recent followup email from the Wild Bird Fund to a local resident who had reached out this week.
The response said:
“The Canadian Goose was indeed brought in, but I wish that I had better news to share. He was unable to recover from his injuries, and we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him, so that he would not suffer any longer. He had a fractured femur bone when he was brought in. Injuries of this type might take months to heal or not heal properly at all, leaving the bird in chronic pain which would mean survival in the wild would be difficult, if at all possible.
“I know this is not the outcome you were hoping for, but please know that by bringing him in to us, you saved him from a great deal of future suffering. I cannot imagine why someone would intentionally hit a living being. In cases like this, the kindest and most humane thing we can do is allow the bird to pass in peace, without pain and the dignity he deserved. Sincerely, The Wild Bird Fund Animal Care Team.”
Fisher had a message for Hoboken residents about the incident.
“If you witness any aggressive behavior toward animals,” she said, “please report it to the Hoboken Police at 201-420-2100. We may not be able to save them all, but we can at least make sure we try.”
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