ROYSE CITY, Texas — A 72-year-old woman is recovering in a Dallas trauma center after being knocked down and repeatedly pecked by a group of geese while feeding ducks at City Lake Park, her family says.
For Lydia West, feeding ducks at the park is a regular routine. Her son, David West, told WFAA that Monday morning, the peaceful ritual turned dangerous.
“Apparently, some large geese came up to her and started attacking the food,” he said. “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.”
Passersby intervened and called paramedics. Lydia was first taken to a local hospital, then transferred to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas for specialized care. Doctors found several breaks on one side of her pelvis and internal bleeding, though surgery was deemed too risky given her age and health conditions. She is now stable and facing a long course of physical therapy.
City Lake Park is home to a variety of waterfowl, including Canada geese and domesticated Chinese geese, which can exhibit territorial behavior. Wildlife experts note that geese may become aggressive when defending territory or when accustomed to receiving food from humans.
“Most encounters don’t end in serious injuries, but falls while trying to escape can, especially for older adults,” David West said. He hopes sharing his mother’s story will warn others, particularly seniors, about potential risks at the park.
Royse City Parks and Community Programs Manager described the incident as “uncommon” and said the city is considering adding signage to educate visitors about safely coexisting with park wildlife.
David said the family also faces financial concerns due to medical expenses and physical therapy, despite Medicare coverage. For Lydia West, what was once a simple routine may now carry a lasting reminder of the dangers posed by wildlife.
