Animal Reports: A Tough Week for Monroe Wildlife

Deer Crossing Accidents

On July 20 two deer were killed by motor vehicles at different times, but almost on the same spot, at 664 Monroe Turnpike, near the intersection of Route 110.

On July 21 another deer was killed at 707 Main St. between Hillcrest and Bradshaw Drive near the Northbrook condominiums. A fourth deer was killed at Huntington Road near the Newtown town line. These are traditional crossing areas for deer at night as they work the strips of woods near the roadways. 

Two fawns were also hit and killed July 25, one on Benedict Road, the other on Pepper Street at Cutler’s Farm Road. 

Safety Tip: When driving at night, look to the right, for white, glowing eyes poised to cross the road.

Woodchuck  Removals

July 20, a Pastors Walk resident called for assistance after the family's basset hound-mix attacked and killed a baby woodchuck in the yard. As the aggressor, the dog was unscathed. A rabies test on the carcass came back negative.  

On Cross Hill Road, homeowners accidentally locked a woodchuck in their garage. It unsuccessfully tried to chew its way out, began knocking cans off shelves as it sought an escape route, and finally fell into a garbage container. They asked officers to kill it. However, it was released safely back into its territory.

On July 25, a resident on Old Tannery Road, who was trying to trap a woodchuck in a "let-it-live" contraption, caught a skunk instead. Animal Control provided him with written proper-release instructions and vacated the premises.

Tip: Don't move animals from their territory. They were born there. They need to stay there, or they will be dead within three or four days after their removal.

Raccoon Mishaps

On July 25, a Farm View Road resident trying to rid his yard of a squirrel, set an antiquated leg-hold trap and caught a raccoon instead. The maimed animal had to be destroyed. Animal Control informed the homeowner that he needed a license to trap and he needed to know how to use a trap.

The homeowner gladly gave the trap to the investigating officer, and said he just wasn’t thinking about all the other animals in the area like foxes, raccoons and rabbits, according to police.

Another raccoon was killed that same day trying to cross Elm Street, near KinderCare, another common crossing site for wildlife. He was apparently headed for food-filled dumpsters behind a commercial building.

Motor vehicles killed two more raccoons on Old Zoar Road and another one on Elm Street at Far Mill Road. 

Missing Cats

A calico cat was reported missing July 20 in the Longview Road area. 

A Scenic Hill resident returned home from holiday and discovered her outdoor-cat missing. She told officers it was known to be somewhat wild. 

A Barn Hill Road cat was reported missing July 22. And a resident on Old Zoar Road reported her 15-year-old tabby gone. Her owner found tufts of hair in the yard. 

On July 25, another cat disappeared from its Doris Drive home.

Tip: Missing cats will rarely travel more than 20 houses in any direction from home, unless the pet is a Rescue Cat. Then it may (if it's an adult) try to find its way back to its original colony. Go door-to-door in two's and inquire after a lost pet. 

Dogs Lost and Found

A resident in the Hammertown and Lisa Drive area, found a small Yorkshire Terrier on July 20. She was to call back if the owner wasn't found in the neighborhood. She did not call again. 

A complaint was called in on the same day of a running dog in the Great Oak Farm condo complex on Cutlers Farm Road. Since the complex is private property, no town leash law could be enforced on the premises.

A resident reported a small white poodle stray at Cutlers Farm and Purdy Hill roads on July 21. When Animal Control responded the dog could not be  located. Owners of licensed poodles in town were contacted. However, none was missing a dog of that description. 

Good Samaritans reported unattended dogs in cars last Thursday and Friday. The locations were Great Hollow Lake and Bill's Drive-In. Responding to suspected cruelty claims, officers determined neither dog was in distress and owners were warned. 

On July 25, a roaming dog with a license was picked up at Wheeler and Old Coach roads.

In another case, a black lab with a license was picked up on Route 111 at Wheeler Road. Owners were contacted and their pets returned to them.

Tip: The licensing of animals is done to track them for health reasons and to be able to return them home when lost or stolen. The fees for licensing dogs accounts for less than one-fifth of the Animal Control budget.

Creature Intrusions

A Schoals Road resident complained about a noisy rooster July 20. Since chickens must be housed 100 feet from any property line, Animal Control recommended the complaint be filed with Planning and Zoning.

On July 24, a Pastors Walk resident reported hearing a squirrel chewing inside her kitchen cabinet. It was recommended she leave an open route for its exodus. 

On July 25, in a backyard on Lazy Brook Road, a concerned family watched a coyote sun himself for several hours and finally called Animal Control. The animal left of his own accord apparently healthy. Officers attempted to pinpoint exactly what was drawing the animal to the property. Coyotes have a range of five to 15 square miles.    

A Grist Mill Road family was interviewed after finding a dead skunk in the yard. Animal Control determined that no household members or pets had exposure to the animal and that the skunk was not nursing young. The carcass was then removed.

A bat was reported in the bedroom of a Kimberly Drive resident that same night. The frightened creature took refuge in the light fixture below a circular fan. Animal Control caught the bat which had to be tested for rabies because of young children in the house. The results were negative.

A Porters Hill Road resident reported a bat in her attic. Because it was not in a living space, the homeowner was advised to call in a private service. 

Tip: Bats munch on millions of mosquitoes every night. Now is the time they are having their young. Don't disturb their roosts. They will become active again by the end of August. This is a mega-mosquito year, and bats are needed to do their job. Residents who know where a bat colony resides or who find a dead bat are asked to call Jen Pacelli at the Connecticut Wildlife Division 860-675-8130.

Beaver Damage

On July 25, a homeowner in the Pepper Street/Swamp Road area called in to report that flood waters were only six feet from the house and rising. The problem is being caused by local beavers building multiple dams at the north end of the rails to trails trek in Monroe.

Another resident at Hattertown and Huntington Road also reported beaver damage.

The solution is a "work-day" where skilled town employees wade into the water, open up the beaver constructed dams and drop in a vent system.

Thought for the day: Monroe's creatures were here first. Respect them. Enjoy them. And if you need help with them, call Animal Control at 203-452-3760. If there is an immediate emergency, call 911.