Two men are facing animal abuse citations after videos and images surfaced of them inflicting multiple injuries to geese at Pines Crossing Golf Course.
On March 1, 2026, a user in the "What’s Happening in Auburn and Opelika" Facebook group posted a series of images and videos that depicted two men throwing rocks at Canadian Geese, as well as taking photos with a deceased goose at Pines Crossing Golf Course. This incident was originally posted to Auburn's YikYak and other social media groups on Feb. 28, 2026.
Canadian Geese are migratory birds, one of 1,106 species that are federally protected in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918. Alabama is no different, with both migratory and non-migratory geese populations protected within the state. The MBTA also lays out guidelines for hunting and killing migratory birds, in which it details that "taking" these animals without permission is prohibited. The document defines "taking" as follows: killing, capturing, selling, trading and transporting. Hunting is permitted while in season, and hunters must purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and have hunting licenses for the season.
Upon posting, users in the aforementioned group and others responded with outrage at the men in question. Users reacted to the incident immediately.
One commenter said, "Besides being prosecuted. I certainly hope the golf course will have the decency and backbone to permanently ban these two from ever playing at this course again."
"I hope they are found and charged with cruelty to an animal. But I also hope they would be banned from that golf course permanently 
," another commenter posted.
While one claimed "So breaking news is a goose? They need to get the rest of them…"
Users found the tag of the men's vehicle and reported the incident to the game warden. Upon this report, the two men were found.
Carter Allen McCullough and Jacob Daniel Dyas Jr. were cited with the following: hunting without a license, hunting during a closed season and hunting without permission.
Dyas Jr.'s father, Jacob Daniel Dyas Sr., was arrested in 2020 with domestic violence and willful torture and abuse of a child. According to WALA-TV, Dyas Sr. turned himself in after that incident was reported.
After the social media posts circulated, Pines Crossing Golf Course issued a statement regarding the incident, stating their management was following the investigation and that McCullough and Dyas Jr. were banned from the course.
Pines Crossing Golf Course statement on killed geese.
These citations are moving to court and will be heard in the Lee County District Court on April 7, 2026.
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Brychelle Brooks, senior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023. She previously served as the Campus Reporter, Opinion Editor and Newsletter Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
