A 72-year-old woman from Texas is facing a lengthy recovery after a vicious and unexpected attack by a gaggle of geese left her with severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and internal bleeding.
A Routine Visit Turns Violent
Lydia West, from Royse City near Dallas, regularly visited City Lake Park to feed the local birds. However, on Monday, 5 December 2025, her peaceful routine took a terrifying turn. As she fed the ducks, a group of geese became interested in the food, leading to a sudden and aggressive assault.
Her son, David West, recounted to Texoma News how his mother "fell hard" during the onslaught. She became trapped on the ground as the birds continued to attack her. The situation only de-escalated when two passers-by intervened, managing to free the elderly woman from the angry flock.
Severe Injuries and a Long Road Ahead
Lydia West was rushed to a local hospital, where medical examinations revealed the extent of her injuries. Doctors diagnosed her with several fractures on one side of her pelvis and internal bleeding.
"She has a long road of physical therapy and learning how to be able to walk," David West stated, emphasising the serious impact of the incident. He expressed his shock, saying, "It was a shock that the geese could even become that territorial and could hurt somebody."
The family is now keen to raise public awareness, particularly among older people. "One of our main concerns is being able to get a warning out there to the public, especially the senior community," David added.
Understanding Why Geese Attack
While such severe injuries are rare, attacks by geese are not unheard of and are typically driven by instinct rather than malice. Vanessa A. Williams, a wildlife biologist and animal behaviourist with the Illinois-based firm Wild Goose Chase, explained the reasoning to Popular Science.
"Geese are typically only defensive when they have a nest they’re protecting or are defending their young," she said. "They’ll attack anything they see as a threat to their nest or their babies."
This defensive behaviour was starkly illustrated in a separate 2022 incident in Florida, captured on video. In that case, a woman walking too close to a nest was chased, knocked to the ground, and had her belongings scattered by a protective goose.
The attack on Lydia West serves as a stark reminder that even familiar wildlife can become dangerous when they perceive a threat, turning a tranquil park visit into a traumatic event.
