MONROE, Conn. — A Church Street resident was cleaning off a gas grill after supper Wednesday, Feb. 26, when the pet owner heard something from the tree line. The family dog, which was loose in the yard, yelped.
Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said a veterinary facility later reported the dog suffered a bite wound of an unknown origin. Hind leg injuries were consistent with bite wounds from a “raccoon, fox or maybe coyote,” he said.
The dog was validly vaccinated for rabies and was given a booster shot within 96 hours. Risko said a rabies advisory notice was issued and a 45-day close observation was advised. The case remains open until April 11, 2020.
The dog owner was issued a written warning for failure to license.
Dog battles a raccoon
A Purdy Hill Road woman reported that her dog fought with a sick or injured raccoon in her yard on Sunday, Feb. 23. An officer removed the raccoon, which was later euthanized.
Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said the dog was validly vaccinated for rabies and a rabies advisory notice was issued.
The dog received a booster vaccination and strict confinement was ordered for 45 days. The call will remain open until April 8.
The dog owner was issued a written warning for failure to license.
In another incident involving a rabid raccoon, a Wheeler Road man reported seeing a sick or injured raccoon in his yard on Friday, Feb. 21.
Risko said the resident euthanized the animal prior to the call for service, adding there were no exposures and no testing was required. The raccoon’s remains were removed for cremation.
Camera captures den site
A Rockwood Lane woman told Monroe Animal Control her RING Camera captured video of a fox walking around her house and making a den site on Monday, Feb. 24.
Species fact sheets with common cautions and exclusion tips were provided and a site inspection performed, but no scat and no food attractants were found, according to Animal Control Officer Ed Risko.
An injured rabbit
A woman driving on Hattertown Road Saturday, Feb. 22, reported seeing an injured rabbit in the roadway, near the intersection of Stanley Road, around 7:26 p.m.
An officer searched the area and was unable to locate the animal. A periodic patrol of the area was conducted throughout the evening with negative results.
Several animals hit by cars
A titmouse is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Southington after the bird was struck by a vehicle on William Henry Drive Monday, Feb. 24, near the intersection with Plumer Lane.
But several animals were not as lucky last month.
Among the animals struck and killed were a mink on Pepper Street on Feb. 26, an opossum on Maple Drive Feb. 26, a skunk on Monroe Turnpike Feb. 23, an opossum on Purdy Hill Road Feb. 21, and a raccoon on Purdy Hill Road on Feb. 21.
All of the animals’ remains were removed for cremation.
Bobcat sightings
Bobcat sightings were reported on Church Street on Feb. 26 and Captains Hill Road on Feb. 21.
In both cases, a sighting activity report form was completed and forwarded to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Bobcat project.
Species fact sheets with common cautions were provided to those reporting the incidents and a site inspection was performed. Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said no food attractants were found.
