Our community is making its mark on the world stage in an unexpected way this summer. Border Control Bird Dogs, a Stirling, Ont.-based company, has been hired to keep the FIFA practice pitch at Centennial Park free of geese throughout the Toronto World Cup matches.
Eight-year-old Ben, a border collie with an extraordinary work ethic, is one of two dogs tasked with protecting the multi-million dollar international-standard soccer field from unwanted feathered visitors. Alongside his colleague Sally, Ben patrols the pitch daily, using his natural herding instincts to encourage geese to find somewhere else to land.
"They've spent multi-million dollars on putting the facility up and then putting an international-standard soccer field there," company owner Gareth Williams told Global News Peterborough. "So, they don't want the geese coming in and eating the grass and fowling the grass when we have all these athletes from around the world coming for this tournament."
The assignment runs through the end of July, ensuring the pitch remains pristine for international athletes competing in one of the world's most prestigious sporting events. Williams' team specializes in geese and waterfowl management, deploying their border collies to sites ranging from golf courses and cemeteries to sports fields across the region.
The technique, known as 'hazing,' relies on the dogs' breeding and instincts rather than aggression. Border collies have been selectively bred for generations to herd livestock, and that same drive makes them ideal for managing wildlife in sensitive areas where traditional methods wouldn't be appropriate.
For Williams, the opportunity represents something special. "It's absolutely fantastic to be involved — even in a small part — with such a big football, or as you guys call it 'soccer', tournament," he told Global News Peterborough.
As for Ben, the work appears to be pure joy. Williams describes his star employee as tireless and enthusiastic, ready to start the moment he wakes up each morning.
"Ben will absolutely work all day," Williams said. "From the second I'm up in the morning he'll be at the car waiting for me to open up the trunk so he can jump in…He will work all day and when he comes home he will still want to go again."
The assignment showcases how local expertise can play a vital supporting role in global events, proving that even the smallest contributions help ensure world-class competitions run smoothly. While the athletes may get the glory on the field, Ben and Sally are working just as hard to make sure the pitch is ready for them.
