Animal 411

Springtime Wildlife in New Canaan [Q&A]

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With springtime just around the corner, New Canaan residents should prepare to see changes in the wildlife around town. March 20, spring’s official start, marks the beginning of the environment’s transformation and with it, changes in animal species and their behaviors around town.  

We put some questions about the changes out to Officer Sean Godejohn, head of New Canaan Police Department Animal Control section. Here’s our exchange:

New Canaanite: What should New Canaanites be on the lookout for when spring begins? Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn: As spring begins, residents should be aware of ticks that carry Lyme Disease especially when hiking or walking in woody or grassy areas. Residents should check themselves and their animals after hiking.

Animal 411

New Canaan Dog Bites Boy in Face

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A New Canaan dog underwent a 10-day quarantine at home last month after biting a boy in the face, records show. The dog, a 13-year-old brown-colored male mixed-breed named Petey, “was interacting” with the boy at home on Jan. 28 (a Tuesday) when the incident occurred, according to a police report obtained through a public records request. The dog’s owner—who also is the victim’s father, according to the incident report—told police that the boy “had a small puncture wound on his cheek” and was taken to a hospital with the injury, the report said. Police withheld the boy’s age.

Animal 411

New Canaan Police: 50 Bobcat Sightings in 2024

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New Canaan Police say they received 50 reported sightings of bobcats in 2024, down from 66 in 2023 though that’s likely just because residents are growing more accustomed to seeing the normally reclusive felines. Another bobcat sighting, on Lambert Road, came in on Tuesday. Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn said residents shouldn’t approach the animals. They are naturally wary of people “and pose little threat to public safety or health,” according to Godejohn. 

Bobcats are a top-predator in Connecticut that feeds on rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, white-tailed deer and birds—and sometimes unsupervised domestic animals such as small livestock and poultry, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Godejohn noted that “unprotected pets and livestock” are at risk with a recent rise in reported sightings.

Animal 411

Police: Stolen Bulldog ‘Poppy’ Safely Returned to New Canaan Family

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Police confirmed Tuesday that the dog left inside an SUV stolen Feb. 2 from downtown New Canaan has been returned. Poppy, a 2-year-old French bulldog, “has been found and safely reunited with her owner,” according to a press bulletin issued by New Canaan Police Lt. Marc DeFelice, the department’s public information officer. The Range Rover, left running with the dog inside, was stolen around midday that Sunday from Main Street near East Avenue, police have said. The vehicle is still missing, DeFelice confirmed. 

It isn’t clear just how Poppy was found.

Animal 411

Dog Quarantined, Returned to Rescue After Biting Incident

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A Hickok Road mixed-breed bulldog underwent a 10-day quarantine at home last week after attacking another dog in the neighborhood. The aggressor dog, Winnie, escaped her residence on the afternoon of Jan. 15 (a Wednesday) and attacked a black Labrador retriever, causing lacerations to one ear and a leg, according to an incident report obtained through a public records request. 

She “was bitten multiple times all over and required stitches,” according to the report, written in part by Officer Carlos Prado and in part by Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn. She underwent care at Cannondale Animal Clinic. The victim dog’s owner also was bitten on his right hand during the altercation, which required bandaging but not medical care, the report said.