Animal Control Officer Rescues 11 Ducklings from Storm Drain

Ducklings Rescued

Eleven Mallard ducklings following the sound of their mother's quacks accidentally fell into a storm drain on Main Street on May 24 at around 11:19 a.m. The Monroe Animal Control officer who handled the call said, "The mother was going nuts."

With the help of a Public Works employee and several pedestrians, the officer placed the mother duck into a crate, then rescued each of the ducklings one-by-one.

The birds were then released on Aquarion Water Co. property on Hiram Hill Road, police said.

Coyote Growls at Pedestrian

A woman taking a walk on Ridgedale Road at around 9:05 a.m. May 24 encountered a coyote and its pups standing beside someone's garage. To protect her young, the mother coyote growled at the pedestrian.

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Police said the woman looked straight ahead and kept on walking. Officers searched the area, but could not find the animals. The woman was given a Coyote Caution PSA.

In another coyote incident, one was seen near the walking paths on Deepwood Circle on May 24. Police said the behavior was common.

A coyote was also seen in a backyard on Knorr Road at around 10:15 a.m. on May 26. Officers searched the area and could not find the coyote. Police determined that the animal displayed routine behavior and provided the resident with a Coyote PSA, including common cautions and hazing techniques.

Hazing includes tactics like making noise and spraying water at coyotes until they leave, changing their behavior — and associating the person with the hazing.

Traps Catch the Wrong Animals

A Knorr Road resident trying to trap a pesky woodchuck caught a raccoon instead, according to a report on May 24. Police said the raccoon appeared healthy and was released.

The property owner was given trapping tips for the target species. For example, police said a trap for a woodchuck should only be used in the daytime, and not at night.

A similar incident was reported on Barn Hill Road on May 29.

Trap Catches Missing Dog

A dog that had been missing for a week was returned to its Bridgeport owner after being caught in a trap on Moose Hill Road on May 25. The owner picked up her dog and was given a verbal warning for a roaming dog and license violations.

Bridgeport Animal Control was notified of the incident.

Motorcycle Engine Leads to Dog Bite

A 60-year-old man visiting a friend's house on Guinea Road on May 29 was bitten by her dog when he started his motorcycle, according to a report filed at 10:37 a.m.

He cleaned the wound himself, but police said the dog must be quarantined to its owner's property for 14 days and be examined by a veterinarian prior to release.

The owner was issued $211 in fines for failure to renew a vaccination and an unlicensed dog.

A Squatter Under the Porch

A raccoon was found living under the deck of a house on Hidden Knolls Circle May 24. Police said it exhibited normal, healthy behavior.

An officer recommended leaving the animal alone until it disburses, then putting up an exclusionary device to prevent it from coming back.

A Swarm of Honey Bees

A Webb Circle woman complained about a swarm of honey bees on her property at 8:38 a.m. on May 27.

She was given a referral for beekeepers, who are registered with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

Two Stray Goats

Two stray goats were seen in the roadway on Webb Circle and officers responding to the potential traffic hazard could not find the animals. The case remains open pending additional investigation.

Raccoon On a Roof

A raccoon was seen on the roof of a home on Fernwood Road at 3:05 p.m. on May 28. Officers were unable to reach the animal.

Police said it may be a normal adult female with a den site within a few feet of the garage. The owner was told to call again if the animal returns.

More Raccoon Reports

A sick or injured raccoon was seen on Old Newtown Road at around 12:17 p.m. on May 24. Officers could not find the animal.

A similar incident was reported on North Hillside Lane on May 25.

A raccoon was seen on Willenbarb Road at 2:57 p.m. on May 29. Police said normal behavior was described by the complainant. A raccoon PSA was given.

Possible Chimney Swift

A Lynn Drive woman reported hearing a bird above her chimney damper at 10:08 a.m. on May 30. An officer checking the fireplace was unable to find the bird and learned that no chimney cap had been installed.

The bird may be a "Chimney Swift", a species of bird that nests in chimneys, police said. An officer suggested that the homeowner leave the chimney alone until the birds mature and leave in the fall, then, if necessary, cap the chimney.

A Dead Woodchuck

An officer found and removed a dead baby woodchuck from a yard on Hillside Lane at 10:12 a.m. on May 30. The property owner was given a Woodchuck Damage PSA with common prevention tips.

Animals Hit by Vehicles

The carcass of a squirrel struck by a vehicle on Fan Hill Road was removed on May 24.

On May 26, a small female raccoon struck by a vehicle was removed from Fan Hill Road. The area will be rechecked for seven days for a possible immature orphaned raccoon.

Police received a report of a raccoon hit by a motor vehicle in the 600-block of Elm Street at 10 a.m. on May 28. Officers could not find the animal.

A deer was killed when it was struck by a vehicle on Monroe Turnpike, near , at 2:13 p.m. on May 28. A state deer kill incident report was completed and the state Department of Transportation was notified for carcass collection.

A doe that suffered leg fractures resulting from a motor vehicle accident on East Village Road on May 30 had to be euthanized, according to Monroe Animal Control. The area was checked for a possible fawn and will be rechecked for seven days.

A Hefty Fine

A dog owner on Turkey Roost Road was issued a $92 fine for a roaming violation and redeemed the dog from the pound for a $15 fee after it was caught roaming on Elm Street on May 25.