Cat in a Tree, a Stumbling Opossum & An Unwanted Skunk

A Tough Week for Deer

An Oxford man struck a deer that entered the roadway when he was driving on Monroe Turnpike and approaching Trailside Drive at around 6:20 p.m. on Jan. 9. Police said an officer searched the area, but could not find the deer.

A state motor vehicle crash report was completed and Monroe Animal Control did a periodic patrol of the area over the next two days.

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At around 3:58 p.m. on Jan. 11, police received a call about a deer carcass in a backyard on Church Street. Risko believes it was struck by a motor vehicle.

He said the remains were removed for wildlife feeding.

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Another deer was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Monroe Turnpike on Jan. 12.

Police said a driver reported seeing the deer's body in the road at 7:29 a.m. and a Shelton driver later told police he had hit it, causing heavy front-end damage to his car.

Risko said the remains were removed for wildlife feeding.

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A dead deer was found in a backyard on Barton Road at around 9:36 a.m. on Jan. 13. Its remains were also fed to other wildlife.

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Two deer were struck and killed by vehicles on Monroe Turnpike on Jan. 14. In both cases, the remains were removed for wildlife feeding. 

Cat in a Tree

A Williams Road man told police he let his cat outside on Thursday night, Jan. 9, then saw it had gotten stuck in a tree in his backyard the next morning — about 30 feet off the ground and covered with snow from the late night storm.

An officer gave him rescue tips, which included information on hiring a tree service to remove the cat. Monroe Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said the cat was still in the tree that Monday and additional contacts for tree services were provided.

Squirrel vs. Cat

A Garder Road woman reported seeing a sick or injured squirrel near her garage door at around 2:57 p.m. on Jan. 10. Prior to the officer's arrival, the squirrel died, police said.

Risko believes the death was caused by injuries resulting from an attack by a neighborhood cat. The remains were removed for cremation.

A Skunk Under Her Shed

A Bart Road woman reported smelling and occasionally seeing a skunk in her yard Jan. 11, and she believes the animal is living under her shed.

Monroe Animal Control provided a skunk fact sheet with exclusion tips and a referral to hire a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator.

A Stumbling Opossum

A Northbrook condos resident was walking her dog at around 4:39 p.m. Jan. 14 when she saw an opossum stumbling around. She thought the animal looked sick and called police.

An officer searched the area, but could not find the animal. No exposures were reported.

In two separate incidents, an opossum was struck and killed by a vehicle on East Village Road and another on Elm Street on Jan. 16.

A Feral Cat Colony

A Sunset Terrace resident complained about residents on that street and Cottage Street feeding and caring for a feral cat colony.

Risko said there was no health threat nor any safety issues at the time, and no violation of state law or any municipal ordinance, so no police action was taken.