Royse City, Texas — A 72-year-old woman is recovering in a Dallas trauma center after she suffered serious injuries from an unusual incident involving a flock of aggressive geese at City Lake Park. Lydia West was hospitalized with a broken pelvis and internal bleeding following the attack.
While feeding ducks, West found herself surrounded by a group of geese that began to peck her repeatedly. Her son, David West, said she was carrying out her usual routine when the unexpected incident occurred. “Some large geese came up to her and started attacking the food,” he explained.
According to David, his mother fell to the ground as she attempted to escape the aggressive birds. “She fell hard to the ground, tried to get up and flee, and the geese actually chased her down. She was trapped on the ground, unable to move,” he recounted. Fortunately, bystanders were able to intervene, prying the geese off her and calling for paramedics.
Once rescued, West was first taken to a local hospital. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was subsequently transferred to a trauma center in Dallas. “She broke her pelvis and had internal bleeding,” David confirmed, adding that she had “several breaks on one side of her pelvis.”
The incident left West shaken, as she had never anticipated that geese could exhibit such aggressive behavior. “For her, it was a shock that the geese could even become that territorial and could hurt somebody,” her son noted.
Witnesses to the event reported that certain breeds of domesticated geese, like those found at the park, can be territorial and aggressive if they feel threatened. These “watch-geese” are known for their vocal nature and heightened alertness.
David described the surreal moment he heard about the attack. “I got a call at work saying my mother was being transported to the hospital because geese attacked her. It’s such an odd situation to process,” he said.
As West embarks on a lengthy recovery, her family is bracing for the challenges of rehabilitation. “She has a long road of physical therapy and learning how to walk again,” David added, referencing his mother’s preexisting health concerns.
This unusual incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by wildlife, even in seemingly peaceful settings.