The following blog was written and sent to us by Angie Miller, a Winona, MN resident and mother of three. If you have your own goose story you would like to share, contact us today.

I do not normally write things like this, but I felt it would be a public disservice to not share the terrible nightmare that I have come across that is not being talked about enough. So, listen up and listen carefully.

When my husband and I moved to the Winona area last year, we were so excited about the beautiful outdoor attractions for us and our children to enjoy. Of all the outdoor activities, I was most looking forward to walks and bike rides around the infamous Lake Winona. My children (aged 9, 7, & 3) are incredibly active, so family walks are a staple in our household. But after one of our first walks, I realized this dream was actually a nightmare.

On one of our early trips around the east lake, my toddler got too close to one of the dozens of geese. And this small inconvenience for the goose resulted in it loudly hissing and waving its wings at my child. Oh, readers, I wish I had the writing skills to really convey the horror of my small child because of this terrible creature. The screaming and the tears hurt my heart so immensely. Since this event, I have had a large animosity towards these beasts. All of my children were scarred and we could no longer go on family walks around the lake.

With this in my past, I avoided the lake area because of the goose presence. However, last week, on September 7th, a friend of mine from church asked me if I wanted to chat while we went for a walk around the lake. I felt it was time for me to head back out there, and I was optimistic because my kids were not with me.

Little did I know the horror that was in store for me.

When we got to the southeast part of the lake, there were innumerable geese. And I can't describe the aura of that place besides saying that I felt watched by them. My friend and I slowly made our way along the path to not disturb them, but out of the blue, one charged at me, forcing me to fall on the pavement! And then it proceeded to peck at me, biting at any inch of bare skin it could see.

I will never forget the horror I felt at this moment.

Honestly, I cannot remember much of what followed because I could not believe that had just happened to me.

My friend helped me back to the parking lot and she drove me home. And even on the way home, I felt itchy all over, and by the time I was laying in bed upon getting back, my entire chest had broken out in a rash, shown in the above image. It has spread down to my arms and stomach, and nothing I use on it will suppress the urge to itch it. I have never known a rash like this before.

All I can say is, please BEWARE of the geese. Do not get too close. I am not sure what else this disease from the goose will entail on my body but will keep everyone posted.

For now, I just want everyone to start considering ways to get rid of these public nuisances. Not just temporarily, but for once and for all.

Be safe out there,

Angie Miller