Andy (goose)

Famous goose killed in 1991

Andy

Andy (on the left) with his owner Gene Fleming

Species| Domestic goose
Sex| Male
Born| 1987
Harvard, Nebraska, U.S.
Died| October 19, 1991 (aged 3–4)
Hastings, Nebraska, U.S.

Andy (1987 – October 19, 1991) was a goose hatched without feet. He was well known for wearing sneakers to help him stand and walk. He was killed in 1991 by an unnamed perpetrator.

## Background

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The goose hatched in 1987 without feet and lived on a farm in Harvard, Nebraska. When Andy was two years old, Gene Fleming from nearby Hastings became aware of the bird's plight. Fleming was an inventor and member of a local charity for disabled children, and he thought he could help. Fleming took care of Andy and his mate, Polly, and moved them to his farm in Hastings.[1] Fleming's granddaughter, Jessica, named him after a girl with whom she got into a fight in junior high school.[2]

Initial failed attempts at providing Andy with more mobility included a skateboard-like prosthesis. Fleming then fitted Andy with specially adapted baby-sized shoes, and he successfully taught the bird to walk with them.[3][4] Subsequently, Andy caught the attention of the media and Nike, which offered a lifetime deal to supply shoes for Andy – the bird wore out a pair of shoes in about one month.[2] At one point, Andy and Gene appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.[2]

Andy became a role model, especially for disabled children.[5][6] With his shoes, Andy was able to walk, swim, and fly; his owners hoped Andy's mobility would give hope to people with disabilities.[1]

Andy disappeared on October 19, 1991, and was found dead the next day in a local park with his head and wings ripped off.[7][8] The community collected US$10,000 (equivalent to $23,086 in 2024) as a reward to apprehend the killer; however, the perpetrator could not be identified.[9][10] According to former Chamber of Commerce president Don Reynolds, police identified the killer but did not reveal their identity to the public as they were "somebody that was not responsible".[9]

## See also

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* List of individual birds

## References

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1. ^ a b Kringiel, Danny (July 23, 2018). "Schräger Vogel: Das blutige Ende der Sneaker-Gans" [Offbeat Bird: The Bloody End of the Sneaker Goose]. Spiegel Online (in German). Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
2. ^ a b c Fyfe, Duncan (April 2, 2018). "The Killing of an American Goose". Medium. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
3. ^ Bricklin, Mark (April 1, 1999). Pets, Part of the Family: The Total Care Guide for All the Pets in Your Life. Rodale. ISBN 9781579541255. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
4. ^ The Reader's Digest. Vol. 135\. Reader's Digest Association. 1989. Andy Goose Steps Out. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
5. ^ "Andy, the Footless Goose". History Nebraska. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
6. ^ Grossman, Ron (June 27, 1993). "A Footnote On Andy The Goose". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
7. ^ "Murder Most Fowl". PEOPLE.com. November 11, 1991. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
8. ^ "Beloved Footless Goose is Slain". Associated Press News. October 22, 1991. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
9. ^ a b Giaimo, Cara (October 19, 2016). "The Goose Who Wore Nikes, and the Mystery of Who Murdered Him". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
10. ^ "W.E. 'Gene' Fleming, Friend to Lame Geese". Straus Media. February 16, 2015. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.