Police on hunt for hot dogs

STEVENS POINT – The city's plan to drive geese out of Pfiffner Pioneer Park has been interrupted by the theft of two dog cutouts installed two weeks ago to scare waterfowl away.

A first cardboard silhouette was stolen over the weekend and a second disappeared Monday or Tuesday, said city Parks Recreation Director Tom Schrader said.

"I don't know why people would do that," he said. "They seem to be working."

The city first installed three cardboard dogs, which cost about $40 each — the city initially told Stevens Point Journal Media $20 each — in front of the park's band shell about two weeks ago to drive geese from the area. Schrader said the city wanted to address concerns about how annoying the birds are and the mess they leave on the grass. A mowing crew moved the dogs to different locations each day so the geese wouldn't become too comfortable around them.

The cardboard dogs, which are attached to sticks, swivel in the wind and wear collars that identify them as "goose patrol" devices.

Schrader said the city is using the lone remaining dog as a stencil to make more, which soon will be back on patrol.

"We know they'll probably get destroyed, stolen or wrecked," he said.

The city also placed plastic tree-hangings around the area, which resemble owls and have streamers that flutter in the wind. The streamers produce a sound that annoys geese.

Schrader said there are no cameras in the area to identify a suspect.

Sari Lesk can be reached at 715-345-2257. Follow her on Twitter as @Sari_Lesk.