A 72-year-old woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after a group of geese chased her at City Lake Park on Dec. 1, knocking her to the ground and continuing to peck and strike until bystanders intervened, her family said. The woman, identified by relatives as Lydia West, was transferred to a Dallas trauma center with a broken pelvis and internal bleeding.
Relatives said West had gone to the park, a popular greenspace just south of downtown Royse City, to feed ducks as she often did. The encounter took a violent turn when several large geese moved in on the food, pushed her off balance and left her pinned on the ground. The episode has prompted city officials to consider additional warnings about interacting with wildlife as winter flocks gather around the lake. West faces a lengthy recovery that could include weeks of inpatient care and physical therapy, according to her son, who said the injuries have upended routines for the family and rattled regulars at the park.
The incident unfolded late Monday morning along a paved path near the water’s edge, where West had stopped with a small bag of feed, according to relatives. A couple walking nearby ran over when they heard shouting and saw geese surrounding the woman. They waved and stomped to drive the birds back, then called 911 while another passerby shielded West with a jacket until first responders arrived. She was first taken to a local hospital and later transported by ambulance to a Dallas facility better equipped for trauma cases. “It all happened so fast,” her son, David West, said. “She fell hard and couldn’t get up. Those birds didn’t back off until people got between them and my mom.”
Doctors told the family imaging revealed multiple fractures on one side of West’s pelvis and signs of internal bleeding that required close monitoring, relatives said. Her care plan includes pain management, mobility assessments and evaluation by orthopedic specialists. David West said his mother is small in stature and has other health concerns that complicate recovery. City Lake Park remained open this week, with routine patrols and maintenance. Neighbors said more geese have gathered at the lake this season, joining resident ducks and other waterfowl that frequent the shoreline and nearby fields. A parks employee speaking generally about the site said staffers see periodic complaints about aggressive geese during feeding times but described severe injuries as rare.
Family members said the birds involved were large, pale-colored geese that can be territorial, particularly when food is present. Wildlife advocates note that geese become bolder in public spaces where people regularly feed them, a pattern that can lead to charges and pecking when flocks compete at close range. West’s relatives said she had been to the lake many times without trouble. On Monday, they said, she tripped or was jostled as several geese converged, leaving her unable to stand. The couple who intervened stayed with her until paramedics arrived. “We’re grateful for the strangers who stepped in,” David West said. “They made the difference in getting help there quickly.”
City Lake Park stretches around a small reservoir with fishing piers, picnic tables and a loop trail frequented by families, joggers and school groups. Royse City, which has grown rapidly along the Interstate 30 corridor east of Dallas, has added subdivisions near the park in recent years, bringing more foot traffic. Residents say flocks of Canada geese and domestic varieties are common, particularly at dawn and dusk when they graze on grass around the sidewalks. The layout creates close encounters at the waterline where people congregate. Longtime visitors said they have seen signs reminding patrons to give wildlife space, though formal guidance varies by season and location inside the park.
Royse City officials said they are reviewing the response with police, fire and parks staff, including how quickly crews reached the scene and whether additional signage or barriers are warranted around popular feeding spots. Parks personnel gathered informal witness accounts from the couple who called 911 and from others who were on the trail Monday morning. The city did not report any attempt to capture or relocate the birds. Wildlife managers typically emphasize habitat changes—such as limiting easy food sources—over removals, which can be complex and regulated. Officials said they would weigh options after the peak of seasonal migration.
West’s family said she will likely require inpatient rehabilitation to regain strength and balance, a process that can take weeks or months for older patients with pelvic fractures. Her son said therapists have begun planning how to help her relearn basic motions safely. The family has arranged support at home for when she is discharged. Relatives also said they were surprised by the intensity of the attack given the quiet setting. “She goes to watch the ducks and walk the path,” David West said. “We never expected something like this at a small city park.” Friends have sent cards and meals, and some of West’s longtime neighbors have offered rides to appointments once she leaves the hospital.
People familiar with the park said flocks sometimes cluster near the water where visitors toss bread or birdseed. In recent years, public notices in North Texas have discouraged feeding waterfowl, citing bird health and the risk of crowding birds near paths. Parkgoers this week described seeing groups of geese hissing at dogs and stretching their wings when people approached. A jogger who passed the scene minutes after the ambulance left said he saw feathers scattered along the shoreline and footprints around a patch of flattened grass. “It was quiet, but you could tell something unusual had happened,” he said. A nearby bait shop owner said several customers brought up the incident, concerned about older relatives who use the trail.
Emergency crews reported no additional injuries tied to geese at the park that day. Police said the case did not involve criminal conduct and was documented as an injury accident for records purposes. The parks department said it would note Monday’s response in internal logs and review maintenance schedules to see if vegetation or shoreline features contributed to crowding along the path. As of Saturday, the city had not announced a formal policy change or timeline for new signs. Staff members said they would continue routine patrols around the lake, where flocks often roost on the grass and sidewalks near the picnic area.
Relatives said West remains under close observation while doctors determine the best path forward. They hope to meet the couple who helped her once she is stable. “We want to thank them properly,” David West said. For now, the family said, they are focused on her recovery and on understanding how a routine morning visit turned into a medical emergency. People who frequent the path said they saw more families than usual stopping to watch birds from a distance this week. “Everyone’s been talking in hushed tones,” said a man who fishes the lake on weekday mornings. “It’s a small park. Word travels fast.”
As of Saturday afternoon, West remained hospitalized in Dallas while relatives awaited updates from orthopedic specialists. City staff said any adjustments at the park would be announced after internal reviews are complete in the coming days.