Animal Reports: Prancer Needs a Special Home for Christmas

Prancer needs a special home for Christmas. The pup that was picked up on the railroad tracks on the Monroe line last week goes up for adoption on Dec. 15. He is very smart and healthy, but has a few issues. 

Prancer (so dubbed for his bouncy gait) is playful and loving, but a definite Alpha dog. Consequently, he is not the right dog for a home with children or other animals due to sporadic aggressive behavior that surfaces unexpectedly- like when you try to take his coffee cup away. Yes, he is a coffee hound. Loves the stuff.

He needs a big yard and owners who know canine behavior. He will test you. With the right owners, he'll be a watchful and staunch companion. 

The theory is he may have been "dumped" because his family couldn't handle him, didn't know how to train him and didn't want to put him down. If you want to meet Prancer call or visit Animal Control. 

Annual Angels 

Monroe residents David and Lillian Schneider brought a little Christmas to Animal Control this week with the donation of 16 stainless steel dishes, assorted rope toys and a check for $200 to help Monroe's furry and feathered friends. The funds will be used carefully, and all their gifts are much appreciated.

Officer Ed Risko made a new sign for the facility and decorated the Animal Control building for the holidays. Even the animals sense a jolly holiday.

Unnecessary Tragedy 

A pet died needlessly last week due to his owner's poor judgment. Over Thanksgiving, the dog of a Jenny Ridge Lane resident tangled with a skunk. Last week the pup became ill and they took him to a vet. Following protocol, the vet had to report the incident to the state: An unvaccinated dog in a fight with a skunk. The sick animal had to be euthanized and a specimen was sent to the lab for testing.

The report just came back. The pet did not have rabies. If the owner had obeyed the law and had her dog properly vaccinated, she would still have her pet for the holidays.

According to Risko, "there is no good reason for a dog or cat to remain unvaccinated in Monroe." 

There's another similar tragedy just waiting to happen up on Moose Hill Road. Diesel was on the run again. This is not Diesel with the red painted toenails picked up about a month ago. This Diesel is a tan, male Pitbull terrier, unlicensed because a dog has to be vaccinated to get a license.

Diesel was spotted Nov. 30 about 9:39 pm in the Greenwood Lane and Elaine Drive area. A caring resident took him in and called Animal Control in the morning. He was impounded and the owner tracked down. Seems the dog was impounded in February and the owner was told to get him vaccinated and licensed then. 

The owner picked Diesel up four days later on Dec. 6, after paying a $75 Failure to License fine and a $30 fee. She's been given 30 days to get him vaccinated and licensed. Hopefully, she'll heed Animal Control this time, before Diesel meets that ornery skunk.

More Dog Tales

Dec. 3, 6:23 p.m — There's hero dog up on Maple Drive. He spotted the fabled fox in his owner's hen house and took chase. Fox is gone. Dog back. Chickens safe and laying eggs.

Nov. 29, 12:01 p.m. — Lucky, was reported wandering up on Webb Circle  wearing his electric fence collar. He was picked up by animal control and impounded. After being notified, his owner quickly retrieved him. 

At 7:56 p.m., same night, a little Shitzu was reported up on Harmony Lane, but he made it home on his own, as did the black retriever mix up on Old Coach Road on Dec. 4.

Dec. 2, 10:54 a.m. — A pair of small black mixed-breed pups, about 20 pounds each, were reported wandering by a Turkey Roost Road resident. A Complaint Advisory Notice was issued to the Hammertown Road owner. But she apparently forgot to tell her pets, because they were out and about and reported to Animal Control again on Dec. 6. This time a written warning was issued. 

Dec 6. 4:36 p.m. — A black lab, one of Roaming Rocky's look alike house mates was sighted over on Stanley Avenue near Hayes Street. He was taking advantage of his dog sitter and soon returned home. 

Wildlife  Notes

Nov. 29 — A raccoon was killed by a motor vehicle on Cross Hill Road at Senior Dr.

Dec. 6 — A deer was hit on Monroe Turnpike at Gay Bower Road, but ran away and could not be  located.

Two more raccoons were found in the Dunkin Donut dumpster on Route 111. The escape ladder fashioned by Animal Control was lowered and they escaped. They were not the usual diners. Word of the good eating must be getting around.

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 11:00 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.