Two border collies protect World Cup training pitch in Toronto
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 25, 2026, 4:05 PM
Last updated Jun 25, 2026
Border collies Ben and Sally are on duty at the World Cup training pitch in Toronto, where they help keep Canada geese away. They work twice a day to ensure the area remains clear for visiting teams. Their work is vital, as goose feces can carry disease and damage the turf. Owner Gareth Williams highlights the importance of their role, which raises awareness about goose management at major events. This is the first World Cup where the dogs have garnered special attention for their contributions.
- •Ben and Sally work at a training pitch in Centennial Park, Toronto.
- •The dogs help prevent Canada geese from damaging the turf.
- •Gareth Williams manages the goose control effort with Border Control Bird Dogs.
- •Ben is an experienced eight-year-old; Sally is a younger, energetic collie.
- •The dogs work twice daily, five days a week during the World Cup.
- 4:05 PMYahoo Sports — Soccer-No wild goose chase: Two dogs keep birds off World Cup training pitch in Toronto
"By Bhargav Acharya TORONTO, June 25 (Reuters) - Border collies Ben and Sally have a special mission for the World Cup in Toronto: keeping the notorious Canada geese off the training pitch used by
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