A SEVEN-year old girl is campaigning for motorists to take care in Poole Park after three baby geese were squashed under the wheels of a car.
Anna Harlow was moved to design her own roadside warning signs after witnessing the aftermath of the incident.
Her mother Karen was driving through the park with Anna in the car when it happened.
The park has a 20mph limit and speed bumps that allow only one vehicle to pass at a time.
“From Poole town centre, we were waiting to go over the last ramp before the mini-roundabout. There were four geese and quite a lot of young walking away from the lake,” said Karen, of Lilliput.
“I think there were two cars in front of me. When they moved, I couldn’t believe it.
“Three goslings had been run over. One was still moving its legs and head.
“I think he had broken his neck. I placed him under a tree.
“I got a plastic bag out of the boot, scooped up the squashed ones and put them next to him.
“I went back to some gardeners and told them they needed to remove the birds. They said they had seen it happen.
“My daughter has been watching the goslings grow up over the last few weeks, so it was upsetting for her.
“Whoever did this was a thoughtless and nasty person.”
Simon Legg, street scene operations manager, Borough of Poole, said: “We were disappointed to hear that Karen Harlow witnessed this upsetting incident in Poole Park.
“The geese in the park are wild animals and are allowed to roam free but we would expect road users to act with due care and consideration when they are crossing the road.
“We have a number of traffic calming measures in the park. There are also several triangular signs warning people of ducks in the park.
“We will be contacting Karen to request further details of the incident, which, if available, we will pass on to the RSPCA to follow up.”
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