Two border collies keeping Canada geese off World Cup training pitch in Etobicoke
Sally and Ben are patrolling the official FIFA training site at Centennial Park to protect the pitch from damage and droppings.
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Border collies Sally and Ben have a special assignment protecting Toronto's World Cup training facility. The two dogs, working with handlers from Border Control Bird Dogs, are tasked with keeping Canada geese off the FIFA-standard training pitch at Centennial Park in Etobicoke.
The handlers use the dogs' stalking behavior to make geese perceive them as predators and leave the area. "As he's stalking them slowly, and then the geese start thinking he's a real predator in the area so they're encouraged to leave," one handler explained.
Built to FIFA standards as an official venue-specific training site for 2026 international teams, the facility operates under high security. Staff and the dogs have special clearance to access the pitch. Both dogs must wear vests at all times, and handlers keep their badges on while working in the facility.
Sally and Ben visit the pitch twice a day, five days a week, with standby availability seven days a week if goose population increases spike. They'll maintain their patrol through the end of the tournament and into late July for post-World Cup exhibition games.
When the World Cup concludes, the facility will open to the public in September for recreational use and local sports leagues.