Can birds crash a plane? Absolutely, according to aviation experts who were watching the skies over New York City on the afternoon of Thursday, January 15th, just two weeks into the New Year. Minutes after take-off, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger of US Airways Flight 1549 made a dicey emergency landing in the Hudson River due to what is so far being called a ‘bird strike’ of both its engines by a large flock of Canadian Geese (DNA and other evidence pending.) Birds get caught in airplane engines more than most flyers want to think about, but modern design usually causes them to ‘bounce off’. This time, perhaps because of their numbers and size, they didn’t.

Now local politicians and others are looking to cook the goose--by shooting, egg destruction, and tearing up nesting grounds. No one argues plane crashes must be prevented at all costs—but is there another way fix the bird problem other than massive extermination? Patrick Kwan, New York State Director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the Humane Society of the United States, says yes. Pets In the City sat down with Mr. Kwan to talk about the geese, as well as dog fighting rings in pockets of the city, and the legislative process. Learn how animal lovers like you can become effective ‘citizen lobbyists’ for a wide variety of issues.

Questions or Comments? Send them to: diane@petliferadio.com.