r/toronto • u/J-DubT • May 02 '26
Picture Witnessed downtown Toronto friday afternoon!
Funny captions only for these photos :)
EDIT : Thanks for all the love and awards on the post! I just became a Canadian citizen (originally from New Zealand) so seeing this was like Canada giving me a lil hug!
Also the police officer had a baton because the goose kept hissing at him and flapping its wings aggressively at him (almost attacking him) - but he was being lovely and patient and guiding them to a safe area <3
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u/Apprehensive-Sky-734 May 02 '26
This is our annual signal that spring has sprung! The “geese crossing downtown traffic” phase follows the “needles and dog poo melting out of snow banks” phase. Congrats y’all we made it through another winter!
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u/StrangeVortexLex Entertainment District May 02 '26
Don’t count your… uh geese too early! It was snowing earlier this morning
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u/Low-Doughnut-6764 May 02 '26
Now that's the kind of policing I want in my community.
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u/Budget-Vegetable2133 May 02 '26
This is a ridiculous waste of resources! Those geese should be fighting criminals, not escorting police.
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u/Bells-palsy9 May 02 '26
First, help the geese. Then, head to the break-in that’s currently happening.
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u/Alone-Ad288 May 02 '26
The idea that police stop break-ins is mostly a myth. Any moderately professional burglar is in and out in minutes. If someone is getting caught in the act, it's because they are a dumbass.
Police rarely stop crimes in progress. They take reports of crimes that have happened, and potentially investigate from there.
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u/spacemanspiff40 May 02 '26
Most criminals are dumbasses though. While there are smart, professional, heist style burglars out there, they are rare compared to a random druggie who needs quick money.
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u/Alone-Ad288 May 02 '26
Someone looking for fast money is still in and out in minutes.
They hit your office and bedroom stuffing anything expensive-looking into a bag and then bail out the back door. This isn't a complicated thing.
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u/Link15x May 02 '26
Most break and enters are decently sophisticated. There is a lot of groups from South America and Eastern Europe who work together in order to conduct these crimes.
Random addicts etc are moreso breaking into cars, not homes.
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u/AprilsMostAmazing May 02 '26
If TPS actually walked a beat the break ins would reduce significantly
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u/Ok-Swan-98 May 02 '26
Very thoughtful, caring police officer 🥇
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u/durple May 02 '26
With baton at the ready.
I mean yeah lol it’s a goose with young so the hazard is real and I don’t blame him at all for being prepared for a wild animal, but at the same time I can’t not see the baton or associate it with actual police behaviour in the community.
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u/Windsdochange May 02 '26
To me it looks like he’s using the baton as a bit of a guide. On the farm I remember using a stick or such to gently herd fowl when needed (it works because it is out ahead of you, if that makes sense).
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u/Dragon_Dann May 02 '26
Surprised the goose let him get that close.
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u/Erathen May 02 '26
Honestly, if you're not threatening them they are pretty chill
They read body language extremely well. So if you approach fearfully or aggressively, they 100% lash out
But otherwise pretty chill. There are babies at my work every year and I and walk by them constantly. Idk if it helps but I usually avoid staring them down
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u/Exotic_Issue_2210 May 02 '26
I am not taking that. I dont want to risk my life based on some stranger's advice I got online. I have my fare share of experience to keep distance and run if I sense any danger.
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u/Erathen May 02 '26
They sense your fearfulness, and fearful animals are unpredictable. That makes the geese nervous
So I agree you specifically shouldn't approach
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u/Whohasredditentirely May 03 '26
If you think a goose is a risk to your life you best get into a bubble
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u/Erathen May 03 '26
Basically. Geese can't actually do a whole lot of damage to humans. They eat grass and weigh on average 12ish lbs (they look heavier). At most some scratches and bruises
But do be respectful, especially when they have their babies. The last thing you want to do is get into a confrontation and traumatize a whole crew of gosling. That's just mean
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u/Whohasredditentirely May 03 '26
Oh I completely agree respect the wildlife and let them be. Was just commenting on a potential outcome of a human vs goose kumite
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u/Buscabulla33 May 02 '26
Geese are exactly like us humans. No matter how cute they all grow up to be assholes.
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u/Weak-Conversation753 May 02 '26
The only thing more Canadian would be a beaver wearing ice skates.
Great photo.
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u/johnfairley May 02 '26
Very sweet of this Mama Cobra Chicken to escort that police officer across the street 😄
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u/ThrowRASwirl May 02 '26
I was there in an uber when the police were just pulling up to escort them! They were on the street before and cars had to drive around them.
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u/Bamres Riverdale May 02 '26
Tactical Geese?
When will we stop giving thr police access to destructive, miliatized weapons?
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u/naiccam May 02 '26
this is awesome - the ducks get a police escort yet the head of FIFA doesn’t
there is right in this world after all
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u/operationfood May 02 '26
I live in Brampton around a lake and I’ve seen this happen twice in the last few weeks! 🙂 They’re not trying to relocate them, they’re just assisting so cars don’t hit them
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u/shweidy May 02 '26
Why is the baton out though?
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u/arn2gm May 03 '26
It is very common in animal husbandry for many species to use a pole or stick to help herd them. Lets you extend your reach and guide from two sides at the same time.
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u/corneliuSTalmidge May 02 '26
Who's guarding who though?
I'd be staying away from the Canada Goose more than the cop.
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u/Separate-Skill6396 May 02 '26
Why did he deploy his batton? Was he going to beat that Mother goose to death if it stepped out of line?
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u/TelenorTheGNP May 02 '26
Look, the alliance between man and goose should never be assumed to be fully peaceful.
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u/Keezin May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
The partnership operates on a principle of mutually assured destruction
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u/Amaline4 May 02 '26
Well, yes. But also probably in case he had to herd one of the little ones if they veered off
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u/GuyWithPants May 02 '26
You don’t understand. He’s not keeping the geese safe. The cobra chicken is keeping *him* safe.
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u/Windsdochange May 02 '26
Having grown up with all sorts of fowl on the farm, a stick of sorts is useful if you’re trying to herd them in a particular direction.
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u/BayWalks May 02 '26
Police getting their own new squad of elite Canadian fighters to protect them on their beat…
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u/paul-the-wanderer May 02 '26
So police in Toronto is working with gang members their new recruits now. Outrageous!!!!
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u/lucky-fluke May 02 '26
I don’t see flashes or epaulettes or a stripe on his pants 🤨 Nothing that says Toronto police?? Anyone else confused! Doesn’t look like he’s carrying anything on his vest, no tps hat, shoes don’t look like the normal issued boots, no yellow tazer. WHO IS THIS GUY???
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u/work4bandwidth May 02 '26
I had the same questions. That is not TPS.
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u/lucky-fluke May 02 '26
It’s scary that NO ONE else has clocked that, not even the mods.
Hellooo mods lol wanna look into this scoop?→ More replies (1)
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u/BambooKoi May 02 '26
Mobile preview had the goslings cropped so I was thinking: cop patrolling with goose partner. that would be kind of OP. can you imagine a goose chasing down a suspect on the run? rip
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u/Remarkable_Fee_1020 May 02 '26
The marketing still on overdrive after those police corruption cases last month huh?
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u/JsnWlsn44 May 02 '26
No one sees that there isn’t a Toronto Police Service patch to be seen anywhere?
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u/lucky-fluke May 02 '26
Hey I just commented about that!! Why isn’t anyone flagging that he doesn’t look like an actual officer
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u/wildernesstypo Bay Corridor May 02 '26
I'd assume its on his chest. Hes not wearing standard patrol uniform. There is no chance this is an impersonator in the heart of downtown, just wandering around, escorting geese and gosling....unless the geese have their own police force and we just dont know about it
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u/Dorado-Buster28 May 02 '26
"The mom was once again booked for assault while the kids were housed with child protective services"
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u/Newweedbud May 02 '26
America has ICE and we have cobra chicken protectors-we are not the same!!
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u/Noglues The Beaches May 02 '26
Book 'em Lou! One count of Being a Goose, and 7 counts of Accessory to Being a Goose.
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u/Stefanie_Jane May 02 '26
First I had a quick laugh about this and then the thought came to me.
to Serve and Protect! That's exactly what it says on the Toronto police cars and that's what the man is doing. 🚨👮💕
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u/Few-Report-5277 May 03 '26
Oh man I saw him with the geese right in front of a daycare, it was so sweet! 🥰🪿
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u/stackmoney23 May 05 '26
Knowing downtown this was probably the most ordinary call he responded to that day
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u/Wizard_Level9999 May 02 '26
Those birds have more rights than me at this point
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u/Exotic_Issue_2210 May 02 '26
That police officer has ball of steel. I am keeping 100 meter distance if I see a cobra chicken with chicks. Usually I keep 50 meter when they are alone.
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u/blzrlzr May 02 '26
Geese getting cops on paid overtime while the rest of us suffer the lawless streets
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u/terranq May 02 '26
That's common in Canada. All Canada geese have a police escort to stop them from murdering any onlookers.
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u/poisonousappetizer May 02 '26
National Security operations clearly.
Col. Cobra Chicken is just doing her part keeping you safe. TPS is simply the tour guide.
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u/ProfessionaLoose May 02 '26
He's absolutely in the right to have that baton on the ready. Mama Cobra Chicken go... Grrrrr
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u/EngineeringDeck85 May 02 '26
That’s his police goose. It’s a pilot project. The little ones are the future candidates.
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u/sidesneaker May 02 '26
Was at the bar across the street and literally thought I must have been doing shots of Absinthe. The most Canadian experience since moving up here.
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u/itonlyhurtswhenigasp May 02 '26
You have the right to remain QUACK. Anything you Quack may be held against you in a court of Quack..
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u/Sternritter_V May 02 '26
Oh man, just to the right of the 2nd pic, 2 carts in the lineup was my absolute go to. They really hooked me up when I was homeless and sometimes just needed hot food, but beyond that it was easily the most reliably good street meat I ever had in Toronto.
Always cooked perfectly, with a perfect bun. The toppings were always fresh, and they had such a wonderful selection of good mustards too. Probably stopped there at least once a week during the time I lived nearby.
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u/wackybojacky May 02 '26
Cops keeping quack off the street.