A Webb Circle man told police his wife was startled by the sight of a black bear in their yard when she was walking her dog on Sept. 9. It was one of several bear sightings in the past week.
A Guinea Road man also reported seeing a black bear in his yard, walking into the tree line on Sept. 9.
A Grist Mill Road man reported seeing a bear with an ear tag walking on the street around 8 a.m. on Sept. 10. Police said it was last seen heading back out toward Hammertown Road.
The same day, around 2:45 p.m., a driver reported seeing an ear tagged black bear walking along Hammertown Road, near Fan Hill Road, as it headed into Newtown.
Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said it is believed to be the same bear as the one reported earlier in the morning on Grist Mill, and possibly one of the three bears seen in the area of Webb Circle and Blakeman Drive on Sept. 9.
In every instance, a site inspection was performed, a species fact
sheet with common cautions was provided to the caller, a bear activity report form was completed and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified.
Baby rabbits go to rehab
A Maple Terrace man reported finding and removing three immature baby rabbits from their nest on Sunday, Sept. 1.
An officer was unable to re-nest the animals, so the rabbits were turned over to a state licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
According to Animal Control Officer Ed Risko, the general protocol is to put the kit back where it was found, cover it with some grass and walk away.
“If you returned the baby to a spot in your yard and you have a dog or cat, keep them away from the area until the rabbits are gone,” Risko said. “Mothers feed baby rabbits only twice a day — at dawn and dusk. Baby rabbits found alone in a nest are usually not orphans.”
If a nest has been disturbed, Risko said to put it back together and cover the babies with the grass that originally covered them. To check if the mother is coming to care for them, place several lengths of yarn (small branches work, too) in a grid pattern over the nest. If the grid is disturbed after the next dawn or dusk, the mother is still caring for the youngsters.
Baby rabbits leave the nest when they’re three weeks old and about the size of a chipmunk, according to Risko.
For information on what to do about wild rabbits, click here.
A wandering goat
A male motorist reported a stray goat loose in the roadway, causing a traffic hazard late in the morning of Sept. 3.
An officer found the animal and returned it to its pen on Knorr Road.
Monroe Animal Control gave the keeper an advisory notice for creating a public disturbance, as well as a written warning for failure to license dogs on the property.
Yellowjackets attack
A Spinning Wheel Road woman told police her husband was attacked and stung by multiple bees on Sept. 5. The couple sought medical care on their own.
An officer identified the nests as yellowjacket nests and provided common instructions for safe removal and a referral to hire commercial pest control licensed to administer pesticides.
Yellowjackets are slow to sting, unless their nests are threatened, according to information provided by Risko. Yellowjackets are considered beneficial insects, because they control many pest insect species. However, if their nest is located near a structure, control is warranted.
For information, visit this link.
Dog falls down the stairs
An Indian Ledge Road woman told police her dog had fallen down a set of stairs and suffered a fractured shoulder and a possible spinal injury on Sept. 10.
Officers were able to stabilize and load the dog into the owner’s car without further incident and the dog received emergency veterinary care.
Beavers flood the road
On Sept. 10, a man reported a roadway hazard posed by street flooding on Garder Road near the intersection with Hammertown Road, when culvert pipes were blocked by beaver debris.
Maintenance was scheduled to clean the pipes and install exclusion devises.
Fox reports
A Rodeo Drive woman reported seeing a red fox going in and out from under her deck on Sept. 11 and suspected den activity.
A site inspection was performed and species fact sheets with common cautions were provided, along with exclusion tips. A wildlife camera was scheduled for install to monitor activity if the resident continues to see the animals.
In a separate incident, an Old Castle Drive woman reported finding a dead fox under her shed on Sept. 12.
Risko said there were no exposures and no testing was needed. The fox remains were removed for cremation. Exclusion tips were provided.
The woman’s dog was validly vaccinated and licensed.
A woodchuck faces eviction
A Crown View Drive woman asked for information on how to trap and relocate a woodchuck living under her shed.
An officer provided species fact sheets, repellents and “exclusion tips,” as well as an advisory not to attempt to relocate the animal. Risko said trapping and relocating is not the best option.
For information, follow this link.
A fledgling robin receives care
An Old Newtown Road woman reported finding a fledgling robin Sept. 5 and an officer attempted to re-nest the bird.
Risko said officers later removed the fledgling and transported it to a state licensed wildlife rehabilitor.
Nearly or mostly featherless birds will become too cold in a makeshift nest, so you must place them in the original nest, according to Risko, who added if that’s not possible, take the birds to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
“Remember that baby birds do best when raised by their parents or other birds, so try to reunite them with their parents before calling a rehabilitator,” he said.
For information on what to do about an orphaned or injured bird, click this link.
Skunk walking like it’s drunk
A Cutlers Farm Road woman reported seeing a skunk in her yard, walking like it was drunk on Sept. 6.
The skunk was gone before an officer’s arrival and the officer was unable to locate the animal. No additional calls or contacts were reported over a two day period.
Sick raccoons
On Sept. 11, a woman reported seeing a sick or injured raccoon in the driveway of her Jockey Hollow Road home. The animal was euthanized and police said both of the woman’s dogs were vaccinated for rabies.
A rabies advisory notice was issued for a vet-booster vaccination and the resident was given a written warning for failure to license.
Bobcat sightings
Monroe Animal Control received four recent reports of bobcat sightings.
On Sept. 8, a Captains Hill Road woman and a Hattertown Road woman both reported seeing a bobcat in their yards.
On Sept. 9, a Braeloch Way woman reported seeing a bobcat in her yard.
On Sept. 10, an Old Coach Road woman reported seeing a bobcat in her yard.
In all four cases, a species fact sheet with common cautions was provided, a site inspection was performed, an activity report form was completed and the DEEP Bobcat Project was updated.
Deer become roadkill
A male motorist struck a deer that ran into the road as he headed north on Moose Hill Road late Sunday night on Sept. 1.
Police said the deer died in the accident, which occurred at approximately 10:44 p.m. near the intersection with Beardsley Road. The vehicle’s right, front fender had reportedly made contact with the deer.
An officer completed the motor vehicle crash report and a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Deer kill incident report form was also completed.
The animal’s remains were removed and brought to a wildlife feeding site.
In a separate incident, a Highland Drive woman reported finding dead deer near the roadway on Sept. 8. No driver had reported striking the animal nor damage from a deer strike.
Risko said a state deer kill incident report form was completed and the remains were removed by Connecticut Department of Transportation.
