Animal Reports: Coyotes and Foxes are Courting

'Tis courting season for red foxes and coyotes. The young males are out and about in the backyards of Monroe residents in the Ridgedale Road area. They're no threat to people as they challenge each other and occasionally fight over a local female. But leave them alone and bring in your pets, Animal Control advises. Monroe will have a bounty of wild pups in about 60 days.

A Newtown "frequent flyer" is back. A frequent flyer is a canine that has history of multiple pick-ups by Animal Control. This German Shepherd Dog has long rap sheet for roaming on both sides of the town line due to the behavior of a careless owner.

At 11:48 a.m. on Jan 26, a resident sighted him at the intersection of Fan Hill Road and Timothy Hill. But he was gone when Animal Control arrived. Jan. 30, 1:27 p.m. He was out and about again over on Hammertown Road, this time heading for High Rock Road and home in Newtown. If you see him loose, call Animal Control. He needs to be in a safe environment.

The dogs were out last week, but most made it home with help.

Jan. 25, 8:33 a.m. — A Monroe resident picked up a stray at Pepper Street and Northbrook Road. She delivered the dog to the Animal Control facility. The owner soon reported her chocolate lab missing and was given notice of the impound. The dog was validly vaccinated. The owner was issued a written warning for failure to renew the pup's license and a verbal warning for a roaming violation. After a $15 fine was paid, Coco was a free dog and went home. 

Jan. 25, 2:24 p.m. — Easton Animal Control called Monroe to notify them that they were holding two Welsh Corgis. The owner was later found in Easton and the dogs redeemed. 

Jan. 28, 6:35 p.m. — A stray dog, possibly hit by a motor vehicle was picked up on Cross Hill Road wearing a collar. Animal Control determined it had a valid license and notified the owner. A preliminary examination of the dog found no injuries and the owner was given a verbal warning for letting the pup roam. 

8:48 p.m. — A Pondview Road resident reported her 14-year-old miniature pinscher missing. On Jan. 30, a neighbor responding to signs the owner had posted in the neighborhood contacted the owner. She had found the pup on the Jan. 28 and taken her in. The dog was validly vaccinated and licensed. The pup and owner were reunited.

Jan. 30, 2:35 p.m. — Two dogs traveling together, a lab type and German Shepherd Dog, were reported roaming on Porters Hill Road near Cedar Lane, near the Trumbull Town line. Officers were unable to locate them.

Jan. 31, 9 a.m. — A Manor Drive resident reported barking dogs left outside unattended. Animal Control is investigating the situation.

Casualties

Jan. 26, 8:53 a.m. — A black and white cat was reported hit and killed at the Roosevelt Drive and Route 111 intersection. The caller moved it off the road.

Jan. 29, 5:58 p.m. — A deer was hit by a motor vehicle at Pepper Street and Jockey Hollow Road, but could not be located. On Jan. 30, 6:26 a.m., another deer was killed on Monroe Turnpike at Bayberry Meadow Road. 

A sick or injured raccoon was reported in the yard of an Oak Wood Drive resident on Jan. 27, but could not be located by responding officers.

Thank You 

Monroe's Palmieri family get's a big "thank you" for the blanket, towels and dog bed dropped off at Animal Control. Impounded pups are already enjoying them. 

The Monroe Animal Control office and pound is located in the school bus yard at 447 Purdy Hill Road. It’s the small, reddish brown building to the left and is open to the public seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Remember. Monroe’s creatures were here first. Respect them. Enjoy them. And if you need help with them, call Officer Ed Risko at Animal Control (203)452-3760. For an Animal Emergency call (203)261-3622.