Animals

Harmony Grange Agricultural Fair features contests, demonstrations, antique cars

By Press Release | September 1, 2022

MONROE, CT — The Monroe Harmony Grange held its annual Agricultural Fair on Saturday, Aug. 27. Fairgoers were treated to demonstrations from the Masuk Robotics Club, the Monroe Historical Society and Jim Ritter’s backyard solar energy demonstration, as well as antique cars and tractors. Guardians Farm and Red Barn Crafts brought their wares, Dirt Road Dairy Farmers, a 4-H club, displayed goats and a beautiful jersey calf and there were numerous examples of chickens from Silkies to Heritage Breeds. Highlights of the day, besides the fabulous food, like the delicious corn donated by Mason’s Farm was the Agricultural Judging and an Amateur Photo Contest.

Calves escape a pen, hike along the trails at Great Hollow Lake

Monroe's new animal control officer brings experience to the job

Saga of the wandering cows ends at St. Jude Church

Black bear activity on the rise, as animals prepare for hibernation

Firefighters, police, rescue kitten trapped under a shed

By Bill Bittar | August 28, 2021

MONROE, CT — A tiny orange kitten got stuck between concrete blocks beneath a community storage shed at Fairway Acres on Wheeler Road and it cried for help, before residents and emergency responders tried to pry it free. Read More

Monroe bear sightings in July include a mamma and her cub

By Andy Huchison | July 23, 2021

MONROE, CT — A mamma bear and her cub, as well as another large adult bear, were spotted multiple times in Monroe during a busy few days in town for these majestic wildlife creatures in mid July. Read More

Does are giving birth to baby fawns. If you see a fawn, leave it alone

By Bill Bittar | June 1, 2021

MONROE, CT — Residents are finding baby fawns lying alone in yards all over town. In one case, on May 20, a doe who recently gave birth believed its fawn was threatened by a property owner’s dog, so the deer attacked the pet.

Black bear raids bird feeders, swims in pools, tries to enter houses and trash

By Bill Bittar | May 29, 2021

MONROE, CT — Black bear number 211, a one-and-a-half year old male who recently left his mother, has been seen climbing a tree in Waterbury, before walking through several towns, including Monroe, where he took a dip in the swimming pool of a home on Lois Circle. Read More

Monroe family’s lost dog is back home after 45 days on the lam

By Bill Bittar | November 8, 2020

MONROE, CT — A reverend’s dog ran off after being struck by a car on Monroe Turnpike in September, starting a 45-day adventure, which included an encounter with a corgi named Noah and a water crossing before her miraculous return home. Read More

Monroe reverend prays for the safe return of his family’s dog

By Bill Bittar | September 24, 2020

MONROE, CT — The Rev. Kevin Merritt, pastor of Stepney Baptist Church, and his wife, Liz, are praying for the safe return of their dog, who was hit by a vehicle in front of their house at 810 Monroe Turnpike on Thursday, Sept. Read More

New business allows pet owners to take their dogs to school

By Bill Bittar | September 15, 2020

MONROE, CT — Training a dog or breaking in a puppy can take a lot of hard work, but those who want to make sure it’s done right, without as much time and frustration, can leave it to the professionals at All That Canine, a new business that opened at 849 Main St. Read More

Beavers cause flooding around Guskie Pond

By Bill Bittar | July 26, 2020

MONROE, CT — Animal Control Officer Ed Risko carried a chainsaw, while wading into the water of Guskie Pond Thursday morning. Read More

If you encounter a black bear, slowly back away

By Bill Bittar | July 24, 2020

MONROE, CT — Black bears are invading bird feeders, rooting through trash and crossing roadways, while passing through neighborhoods — and their daily activities have not gone unnoticed. Read More

Animal Reports: Unlicensed dog facility on Hawthorne Drive

By Bill Bittar | March 19, 2020

MONROE, Conn. — A resident of 31 Hawthorne Drive received a $100 infraction for allegedly operating a facility to board and train 12 dogs inside his house without a state license Monday, March 9.