A Milton man is facing animal cruelty charges after prosecutors say he attacked a nesting Canada goose.
MILTON, Wash. — A Milton man is facing animal cruelty charges after prosecutors say he attacked a nesting Canada goose, an incident drawing strong community response to protect the bird and its eggs.
Police arrested 49-year-old Monte Laukala on April 9 after responding to reports of a disturbance near a goose nest outside a Key Bank along state Route 161. According to court documents, witnesses told officers Laukala used a metal sign to strike the goose multiple times while it remained on the nest guarding its eggs.
Laukala pleaded not guilty during a probable cause hearing Tuesday in Pierce County District Court.
Prosecutors argued the allegations amount to animal cruelty.
“The allegation is that the defendant was hitting a federally protected species while nesting with a metal sign,” a prosecutor told the court, adding that the suspect also grabbed and yelled at the bird and attempted to remove it from the nest.
A judge found probable cause to move forward with one count of second-degree animal cruelty and an additional charge of obstructing a law enforcement officer.
“The allegation of hitting a nesting goose with a sign is clearly, in my mind, cruelty to animals,” the judge said during the hearing.
Defense attorneys argued there was insufficient evidence to support the charges and say he pleaded not guilty.
“There was no harm done here, and he did not inflict any unnecessary suffering or pain upon the animal,” the defense said in court.
Following the hearing, Laukala posted $1,500 bail and was released from custody. He is scheduled to return to court May 19.
The case centers on a Canada goose that neighbors say returns to the same spot each year to nest — a familiar and welcome sign of spring for many in the area.
Residents say the incident has shocked the community, with people stepping in to monitor the nest and ensure the bird is not disturbed.
“The community has really stepped up,” said Jessica Ames, a nearby business owner. “People go out of their way to check on her and make sure she’s OK.”
New signs now mark the nesting area, warning passersby to keep their distance. Neighbors say the goose appears unharmed and continues to guard its eggs.
Wildlife experts note that Canada geese often return to the same nesting locations each year and can become aggressive when protecting their nests. The birds are protected under federal law, making it illegal to harm or harass them, particularly during breeding season.
For residents in Milton, the incident has underscored the importance of coexisting with wildlife — and the role the community can play in protecting it.
“They’re going to wait for the eggs to hatch,” Ames said. “And once the babies get a little bigger, they’ll move on.”
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