Yes, hitting a goose is illegal under federal law, and the penalties are far more serious than most people expect. Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal statute that makes it a crime to harm, harass, or kill them without authorization.
A lot of people learn this the hard way after a run-in with an aggressive Canada goose in a parking lot or park. The temptation to swat one away is understandable. The legal consequences of following through are not.
This article covers everything that matters: which law protects geese, how serious the penalties are, what Ohio’s specific rules add to the picture, and the critical question of whether you can legally defend yourself when a goose comes at you. You’ll get real statute sections and actual penalty amounts.
The law on this is clearer and stricter than almost anyone guesses.
Is It Illegal to Hit a Goose?
Yes, hitting a goose is illegal under federal law in the United States. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), codified at 16 U.S.C. 703-712, prohibits any person from pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, or attempting to do any of those things to any migratory bird, including Canada geese, without a valid federal permit.
The word “take” under the MBTA is defined broadly. It includes not just killing but also harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, trapping, capturing, and collecting. Hitting a goose fits squarely within that definition. The law doesn’t require that you kill the bird. Intentionally striking one is enough to constitute a take under the statute.
Canada geese were not always so numerous. They were once nearly wiped out in parts of North America, which is exactly why the MBTA was passed and why federal protection remains in place today. The population has rebounded dramatically, but the legal protection hasn’t been rolled back to match.
Key coverage under the MBTA:
- Species covered: all migratory birds including Canada geese (Branta canadensis)
- Prohibited acts: pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, harassing
- Federal agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enforces the MBTA
- Permit exception: some authorized activities require a USFWS depredation permit
- Civil versus criminal: both civil penalties and criminal prosecution are possible
The protection applies everywhere in the U.S., not just in national parks or wildlife refuges. A Canada goose walking through your office parking lot has the same federal protection as one nesting in a wilderness area.
Why Is It Illegal to Hit a Goose?
It is illegal to hit a goose because Canada geese are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, a federal law created to prevent the extinction of bird species that cross international borders. The law reflects a U.S. treaty obligation with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia to protect shared migratory species.
The historical context matters here. At the turn of the 20th century, unregulated hunting had devastated migratory bird populations across North America. Market hunters shot birds by the thousands. Millinery trades used feathers in mass-produced fashion. Species were disappearing at alarming rates. The Migratory Bird Treaty of 1916 between the U.S. and Canada created the international legal framework to stop that decline.
Canada geese specifically were a conservation concern for decades. Habitat loss, hunting pressure, and egg collection pushed populations dangerously low in many regions. Federal protection under the MBTA reversed that trend. The giant Canada goose subspecies was actually thought to be extinct until a wild population was rediscovered in Rochester, Minnesota in 1962.
The law exists because:
- Migratory birds don’t respect state or national borders; only federal and international law can protect them across their full range
- Bird populations that collapse in one country affect ecosystems across multiple countries
- The MBTA treaty obligation means the U.S. is legally bound by international agreement to protect these birds
- Conservation history showed that without legal protection, popular bird species can decline rapidly
The fact that Canada geese are now abundantly common doesn’t change the statutory protection. Congress would need to amend the MBTA or delist the species to change that.
Is It Illegal to Hit a Canadian Goose?
Yes, hitting a Canadian goose, more accurately called a Canada goose (Branta canadensis), is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act regardless of which state you’re in. The federal law applies uniformly across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and federal lands.
The name “Canadian goose” is a common informal usage, but the bird’s official name is the Canada goose. Legally, the distinction doesn’t matter. The MBTA protects the species by its scientific classification (Branta canadensis) and lists it as a migratory bird subject to the statute’s full protection.
People sometimes assume that because Canada geese are so common and sometimes treated as nuisances, the protection must be weaker or less enforced than for rarer species. That assumption is wrong. The USFWS actively enforces MBTA violations involving Canada geese. Prosecutions and fines for harming Canada geese have occurred in states across the country.
Quick Facts:
- Official species name: Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
- Federal protection statute: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712)
- Applies in: all 50 U.S. states and U.S. territories
- Common misconception: that abundant population means weaker protection
- Enforcement agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; also state game wardens
The species is listed under the MBTA because of its migratory nature and the international treaty obligations that protect it. Common or not, the federal protection is real and actively enforced.
What Law Protects Canadian Geese?
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), codified at 16 U.S.C. 703-712, is the primary federal law protecting Canada geese in the United States. It was first enacted in 1918 following the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1916 between the U.S. and Great Britain (on behalf of Canada).
The MBTA has been updated and strengthened multiple times since 1918. Its core prohibition at 16 U.S.C. 703 states that it is unlawful “to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for transportation, transport, cause to be transported, carry, or cause to be carried” any migratory bird without authorization.
The U.S. has signed migratory bird treaties with four countries. Each treaty extended the MBTA’s protective reach:
| Treaty Partner | Year Signed | Year Enacted into U.S. Law |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain (Canada) | 1916 | 1918 |
| Mexico | 1936 | 1937 |
| Japan | 1972 | 1974 |
| Russia (Soviet Union) | 1976 | 1978 |
Canada geese migrate between the U.S. and Canada, making them covered by the original 1916 treaty. The USFWS maintains the official list of species protected under the MBTA. Canada geese appear on that list without qualification.
State laws also apply alongside the MBTA. Most states have their own game and wildlife laws that independently protect migratory birds and add state-level penalties on top of federal exposure.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act Geese
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it a federal offense to harm Canada geese, and the USFWS enforces it through both civil and criminal channels. The Act covers not just killing but the full range of harmful interactions, from shooting and trapping to harassment and egg destruction without a permit.
The MBTA’s scope regarding geese is broader than most people realize. Destroying or oiling a goose nest without authorization is an MBTA violation. Disturbing a goose during nesting in a way that causes the bird to abandon its nest is potentially a violation. Capturing a goose and relocating it without a federal permit is a violation. The statute is comprehensive in what it prohibits.
The USFWS has a permit system for situations where geese are causing genuine problems. A depredation permit allows authorized activities like egg oiling (which prevents hatching without technically destroying the egg), population control hunts on private property, and in some cases lethal control by licensed wildlife managers. None of those activities are legal without the permit.
What the MBTA prohibits without a permit:
- Killing or attempting to kill a Canada goose
- Trapping or capturing a Canada goose
- Disturbing or destroying an active goose nest
- Collecting or destroying goose eggs
- Harassing geese in a way that causes injury or nest abandonment
- Possessing a dead Canada goose or its feathers
What may be permitted with proper USFWS authorization:
- Egg oiling programs managed by licensed wildlife professionals
- Population control hunts during designated seasons
- Relocation programs conducted by authorized wildlife agencies
- Research activities under scientific collection permits
Key Takeaway: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects Canada geese under federal law, covers far more than just killing them, and is actively enforced by the USFWS with both civil and criminal penalties available.
What Happens If You Hit a Goose?
If you intentionally hit a goose, you face federal prosecution under the MBTA, potential state animal cruelty charges, and civil penalties assessed by the USFWS. The legal consequences begin from the moment of the intentional act, regardless of whether the goose survives.
The enforcement pathway depends on how the incident becomes known to authorities. Viral videos of people harming geese have directly led to federal investigations and prosecutions. Witnesses can report incidents to local USFWS offices, state game wardens, or local law enforcement. Animal control officers sometimes have authority to refer cases to federal wildlife enforcement.
If a goose is struck by your vehicle accidentally, the legal picture is different. Accidental death of a migratory bird is not typically prosecuted under the MBTA. The statute requires a knowing or intentional act for criminal liability in most circumstances. Civil liability under the MBTA can theoretically apply to even accidental takes in some contexts, but criminal prosecution for a genuine accident is extremely rare.
Sequence of events after an intentional hit is reported:
- Witness or video evidence is submitted to USFWS or state wildlife agency
- USFWS special agents or state game wardens investigate
- If evidence supports an intentional violation, criminal charges are filed in federal court
- Civil penalty proceedings may run parallel to or instead of criminal prosecution
- Conviction results in fines, possible imprisonment, and a federal wildlife violation record
The public nature of most goose encounters, combined with how quickly phone videos spread, means that intentional harm to a goose is more likely to be documented than almost any other wildlife interaction.
Can You Go to Jail for Hitting a Goose?
Yes, you can go to jail for intentionally hitting a goose. A criminal conviction under the MBTA for a misdemeanor offense carries a sentence of up to six months in federal prison. If the conduct is charged as a felony under the MBTA’s enhanced penalty provisions, the sentence can reach two years in federal prison.
The misdemeanor versus felony distinction under the MBTA depends on intent and the nature of the violation. Knowingly taking a migratory bird is a misdemeanor under 16 U.S.C. 707(a). Taking a migratory bird knowingly and with intent to sell or with commercial motivation is a felony under 16 U.S.C. 707(b), carrying up to two years imprisonment.
For a typical case of someone hitting a goose out of frustration or cruelty, the misdemeanor track applies. That still means up to six months in federal jail and a fine up to $15,000 for individuals under the misdemeanor provisions. Organizations can face fines up to $200,000 for MBTA misdemeanor violations.
| Offense Level | Statute | Maximum Fine | Maximum Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor MBTA violation | 16 U.S.C. 707(a) | $15,000 (individual) | 6 months federal prison |
| Felony MBTA violation (commercial) | 16 U.S.C. 707(b) | $250,000 (individual) | 2 years federal prison |
| Organization misdemeanor | 16 U.S.C. 707(a) | $200,000 | N/A |
| Civil penalty | 16 U.S.C. 707(d) | $5,000 per violation | None |
These penalties are federal maximums. Actual sentences imposed depend on the specific facts, criminal history, and the judge’s discretion.
Penalty for Hitting a Goose
The penalty for intentionally hitting a goose under the MBTA includes fines up to $15,000 and up to six months in federal prison for a misdemeanor conviction. State animal cruelty charges can add additional fines and jail time on top of federal exposure.
Federal courts have imposed real penalties in MBTA cases involving Canada geese. USFWS agents take these cases seriously, and federal prosecutors have demonstrated willingness to charge individuals who harm geese in public, particularly when video evidence exists. The reputational and financial consequences of a federal wildlife conviction are significant.
State animal cruelty statutes create a separate layer of penalty exposure. In states with felony-level animal cruelty laws, hitting a goose with intent to harm could trigger state charges that run alongside the federal MBTA prosecution. Ohio, for example, has animal cruelty provisions under Ohio Revised Code Section 959.02 that apply to mistreatment of animals, and state courts handle those prosecutions independently of federal MBTA cases.
Civil penalties under 16 U.S.C. 707(d) allow the USFWS to assess fines of up to $5,000 per violation without pursuing criminal prosecution. Civil enforcement is faster and doesn’t require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The USFWS uses civil penalties frequently for less egregious violations.
What the full penalty picture looks like:
- Federal criminal misdemeanor: up to $15,000 fine; up to 6 months federal prison
- Federal criminal felony (commercial): up to $250,000 fine; up to 2 years federal prison
- Federal civil penalty: up to $5,000 per violation
- State animal cruelty conviction: varies by state; misdemeanor to felony range
- Combined federal and state charges: both can apply to the same incident
A person who kicks a goose on camera could realistically face thousands of dollars in fines even without a prison sentence.
Key Takeaway: Hitting a goose carries federal penalties of up to $15,000 in fines and six months in federal prison under the MBTA, with state animal cruelty charges potentially adding additional consequences on top.
Is Killing a Goose a Felony?
Killing a Canada goose without authorization is a federal crime, but whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the circumstances. Killing a goose out of frustration or cruelty is typically prosecuted as a federal misdemeanor under 16 U.S.C. 707(a). Killing one with commercial intent, such as for sale or profit, is a federal felony under 16 U.S.C. 707(b).
The felony track under the MBTA is specifically aimed at commercial exploitation of migratory birds: poaching for sale, commercial feather collection, or other commercially motivated killings. A person who kills a goose during a road rage incident or out of frustration with a nesting bird on their property faces the misdemeanor track, not the felony track, under federal law.
State law can change the felony analysis. Several states have upgraded their animal cruelty statutes to felony level for intentional killing of animals, and those laws apply independently of the MBTA’s federal classification. In states where animal cruelty is a felony, killing a goose could result in felony charges at the state level even if the federal charge is a misdemeanor.
| Type of Killing | Federal Classification | Typical State Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Intentional without commercial motive | Federal misdemeanor (16 U.S.C. 707a) | State misdemeanor or felony depending on state |
| Intentional with commercial motive | Federal felony (16 U.S.C. 707b) | State felony in most states |
| Accidental (vehicle strike) | Generally not prosecuted | Generally not prosecuted |
| During authorized hunting season | Legal with proper license | Legal with proper license |
The combination of a federal misdemeanor and a state felony animal cruelty charge is the worst-case scenario for most individuals who kill a goose without authorization.
Is It Illegal to Hit a Goose in Ohio?
Yes, hitting a goose in Ohio is illegal under both federal law and Ohio state law. The federal MBTA applies in Ohio exactly as it does everywhere else in the country. Ohio’s own animal cruelty statute, Ohio Revised Code Section 959.02, creates an independent state-level prohibition that can apply separately from the federal charge.
Ohio Revised Code Section 959.02 prohibits any person from knowingly or recklessly torturing, tormenting, needlessly mutilating or maiming, cruelly beating, poisoning, needlessly killing, or committing any other act of cruelty against an animal. Canada geese qualify as animals under Ohio’s definition, and the statute applies without exception based on the species.
Ohio classifies animal cruelty violations on a graduated scale. A first-time misdemeanor cruelty offense under ORC 959.02 carries penalties up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Aggravated cruelty or violations involving companion animals can be classified as felonies in Ohio, though the goose context would typically fall under misdemeanor provisions unless extraordinary circumstances apply.
Ohio-specific body of law relevant to hitting a goose:
- Federal MBTA (16 U.S.C. 703-712): applies fully in Ohio
- Ohio Revised Code Section 959.02: state animal cruelty prohibition
- Ohio Division of Wildlife: enforces state wildlife laws; can refer federal MBTA violations to USFWS
- Ohio penalties under ORC 959.02: up to 6 months jail and $1,000 fine (misdemeanor first offense)
- Both federal and state charges can apply simultaneously to a single incident in Ohio
Bold callout: In Ohio, a single incident of intentionally hitting a Canada goose can result in both federal MBTA charges and separate Ohio animal cruelty charges, with fines and potential jail time from both jurisdictions stacking independently.
Ohio has active wildlife enforcement through the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and incidents involving visible harm to wildlife are regularly investigated and referred for prosecution.
Is It Illegal to Touch a Canada Goose?
Touching a Canada goose is not automatically illegal, but intentionally grabbing, restraining, or interfering with one without a permit can constitute a “take” under the MBTA. Casual, incidental contact is different from deliberate handling, and the law draws that distinction through the concept of intent.
The MBTA’s definition of prohibited conduct includes capturing and attempting to capture. If you grab a goose, you’ve captured it without authorization. That’s technically a violation regardless of whether you harm the bird. The USFWS focuses enforcement on harmful contact rather than brief incidental interactions, but the legal prohibition on unauthorized touching exists.
Feeding a goose by hand occasionally leads to accidental contact with the bird. That level of incidental touch is not the target of MBTA enforcement. What creates real legal exposure is intentionally handling, restraining, or interfering with a Canada goose in a way that constitutes capture or take under the statute.
What makes touching a goose legally problematic:
- Grabbing or restraining the bird: constitutes capture under the MBTA
- Attempting to pick up a goose: attempt to capture; covered by the MBTA
- Handling a sick or injured goose without authorization: technically a violation, though USFWS generally encourages people to contact wildlife rehabilitators
- Disturbing a nesting goose repeatedly: may constitute harassment under the MBTA
- Incidental contact during normal activity: not the target of MBTA enforcement
If you find an injured goose, the legally correct action is to contact your state wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator rather than handling the bird yourself.
What to Do If a Goose Attacks You
If a goose attacks you, you can legally take reasonable defensive action to protect yourself from injury, and that legal right exists even though Canada geese are federally protected. The MBTA does not require you to stand still and absorb a goose attack without any response.
The key is proportionality. A defensive response intended to stop the attack and protect yourself is legally defensible. A retaliatory strike intended to injure or punish the goose after the attack has ended crosses into illegal territory. That distinction between defense and retaliation is what determines whether your response is legally protected.
Geese are most aggressive during nesting season, typically from March through June. A goose defending a nest or goslings can be genuinely intimidating, and their wings and beaks can cause real injury. Understanding how to respond without crossing into illegal harm is practical and important.
Legal ways to respond to a goose attack:
- Back away slowly and calmly; most goose attacks are bluff charges
- Maintain eye contact; geese tend to retreat when a person doesn’t show fear
- Hold an umbrella, bag, or jacket between you and the goose as a shield
- Make yourself appear large by raising your arms
- Use water or a hose to deter the goose without causing injury
- Report persistently aggressive geese to your local wildlife management agency
What not to do during a goose attack:
- Strike the goose with intent to injure beyond stopping the immediate threat
- Use a weapon against the goose
- Chase the goose or its goslings after the immediate threat has passed
- Take any action that constitutes intentional harm beyond immediate self-protection
The law gives you room to protect yourself. It doesn’t give you room to take out your frustration on the goose after the fact.
Can You Defend Yourself Against a Goose?
Yes, you can legally defend yourself against a goose attack using reasonable, proportionate force. Federal wildlife law does not require you to accept injury from an aggressive bird without any defensive response. What the law prohibits is using a goose attack as an excuse to intentionally harm the bird beyond what’s necessary to stop the threat.
The MBTA’s enforcement focus is on intentional, unjustified harm to migratory birds. A prosecution for someone who reflexively waved off an attacking goose and accidentally injured it would be extremely unlikely. A prosecution for someone who beat a goose with a stick after it charged them once is more legally viable, particularly if it’s captured on video.
Think of it like the legal standard for self-defense against a dog. You can push a dog away, but you can’t beat it to death for sniffing your leg. The response must match the threat. A goose attack that genuinely threatens injury gives you more legal room than a goose that honked at you from a distance.
| Response Type | Legal Status | MBTA Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Backing away, waving arms to deter | Clearly legal | None |
| Blocking with a bag or umbrella | Clearly legal | None |
| Pushing the goose away to stop an ongoing attack | Generally legal | Very low |
| Striking the goose with intent to injure during attack | Gray area; proportionality matters | Possible; fact-specific |
| Striking the goose after the attack has ended | Likely illegal | High |
| Using a weapon to injure or kill the goose | Illegal unless life-threatening circumstances | Very high |
Document any genuine injury from a goose attack. That documentation supports a self-defense claim if the incident is investigated.
Key Takeaway: You can legally defend yourself against an attacking goose using reasonable and proportionate force, but any response beyond stopping the immediate threat crosses into illegal territory under the MBTA.
Is It Illegal to Kill a Canadian Goose?
Yes, killing a Canada goose without a valid permit is illegal under the MBTA and constitutes a federal crime. No private individual may kill a Canada goose on their own authority, regardless of how much of a nuisance the birds have become on their property.
The only legal pathways to lethal control of Canada geese involve federal permits issued by the USFWS. Property owners who experience genuine damage or safety hazards from geese can apply for a depredation order or work with USDA Wildlife Services to implement an authorized population control program. Those programs involve licensed professionals working under federal authorization, not individuals taking matters into their own hands.
Canada geese can be legally hunted during designated hunting seasons with a valid state hunting license and federal migratory bird hunting stamp (the “Duck Stamp”). Outside of authorized hunting seasons, lethal control by any private individual without a permit is illegal. The hunting season framework provides the only regular legal window for killing Canada geese without a special permit.
Legal pathways to lethal control of Canada geese:
- Authorized hunting season: valid state license plus federal Duck Stamp required
- USFWS depredation permit: issued for specific damage situations; authorizes lethal control
- USDA Wildlife Services program: federal agency provides population management on request
- Egg oiling or nest destruction: requires USFWS authorization; not for individuals to self-administer
- Research and scientific collection: requires specific USFWS scientific collecting permit
Bold callout: The federal Duck Stamp, required for hunting migratory waterfowl including Canada geese during legal seasons, costs $25 for the 2025-2026 season and must be purchased in addition to a state hunting license.
No permit means no legal kill, period.
Is It Illegal to Feed Geese?
Feeding geese is not federally prohibited under the MBTA, but many state and local jurisdictions have enacted ordinances that ban or restrict feeding of Canada geese and other waterfowl. The legality of feeding geese depends entirely on where you are and whether your local or state government has addressed the issue.
At the federal level, feeding migratory birds is not classified as a take or a prohibited action under the MBTA. The federal law focuses on harm, harassment, capture, and killing. Offering food to a goose doesn’t fit within those prohibited categories under the statute’s plain language.
State and local governments have moved to restrict goose feeding for practical reasons. Supplemental feeding concentrates geese in urban and suburban areas, creates dependency that disrupts natural migration patterns, causes water quality problems from increased waste, and can make geese more aggressive toward humans who approach without food. Many cities, counties, and parks have posted no-feeding ordinances with civil fines.
Where goose feeding is commonly restricted:
- City parks in urban areas: many have posted no-feeding ordinances
- Lake and pond areas: frequently regulated by local parks departments
- Golf courses and corporate campuses: may have property rules against feeding
- State wildlife areas: some states prohibit feeding of any wildlife in managed areas
- Federal lands: National Park Service discourages feeding all wildlife
Penalty for violating a local no-feeding ordinance is typically a civil fine ranging from $25 to $500 depending on the jurisdiction. These are local civil penalties, not federal criminal charges. The severity varies widely by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hitting a Canada goose a federal crime?
Yes, intentionally hitting a Canada goose is a federal crime under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712).
The law prohibits any person from pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, or harassing any migratory bird, including Canada geese, without a valid federal permit.
The offense is typically prosecuted as a federal misdemeanor carrying up to six months in prison and fines up to $15,000.
How much is the fine for hitting or killing a goose?
The maximum fine for a misdemeanor MBTA violation is $15,000 for an individual and $200,000 for an organization.
A federal felony conviction under the MBTA, which applies when there is commercial intent, carries fines up to $250,000.
Civil penalties assessed without criminal prosecution can reach $5,000 per violation under 16 U.S.C. 707(d).
Can you legally defend yourself if a goose attacks you?
Yes, you can legally take reasonable and proportionate defensive action to stop an actively attacking goose.
The MBTA does not require you to accept injury; what it prohibits is unjustified or retaliatory harm to the bird beyond what’s necessary to stop the immediate threat.
Backing away, using a bag as a shield, or pushing the goose away during an active attack is legally defensible; striking it with intent to injure after the threat has passed is not.
Is it illegal to hit a goose in Ohio specifically?
Yes, hitting a goose in Ohio violates both the federal MBTA and Ohio Revised Code Section 959.02, the state’s animal cruelty statute.
Ohio’s animal cruelty law independently prohibits knowingly or recklessly causing harm to any animal, including Canada geese.
A first-time misdemeanor animal cruelty conviction in Ohio carries penalties up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, separate from any federal MBTA penalties.
What should you do if you accidentally hit a goose with your car?
Accidental vehicle strikes of geese are not typically prosecuted under the MBTA because the statute requires knowing or intentional action for criminal liability.
If the goose is injured but alive, contact your state wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator rather than handling the bird yourself.
Document the accident in case questions arise later, and do not attempt to keep or possess the bird or any feathers, as possession without authorization is also prohibited under the MBTA.
The Bottom Line on Geese and the Law
Federal law on this topic is both clearer and stricter than most people expect. A Canada goose has the full weight of a 1918 treaty and a federal criminal statute behind it. That doesn’t mean you have to accept being attacked. It means you can’t take your frustration out on one without legal consequences.
Bookmark this article and share it with anyone who has ever wondered why those aggressive birds in the parking lot seem untouchable. The law explains everything, and knowing it keeps you on the right side of a federal fine that starts at thousands of dollars.
