Animal 411

Police: Uptick in Bobcat Sightings in New Canaan

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Police say New Canaan is seeing an uptick in bobcat sightings. 

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—bobcats typically shy away from people. “When seen, do not approach them,” New Canaan Police said in a press release. Bobcats began to appear with more frequency in New Canaan around 2014, and since then officials have said they’ve seen what appear to be families of bobcats establishing dens here. Twice in 2020—in January and December, a pair of the normally reclusive animals were photographed on Marvin Ridge Road properties. A photograph taken two years ago of a pair of bobcats casually walking around a New Norwalk Road residential property concerned officials that the animals are becoming too familiar with humans. 

“Bobcats are by nature wary of people and pose little threat to public safety or human health,” New Canaan Police said in the release.

Animal 411

Terrier Attacked, Bit by Larger Dog on Brooks Road

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New Canaan Police last week ordered a Brooks Road dog under quarantine after the animal attacked and injured another canine walking near the house. The incident unfolded shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, a Sunday, according to an incident report filed by NCPD Officer Robert Rizzitelli and obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a public records request. At that time, according to the victim dog’s owner and witnesses, a Catahoula Leopard Dog left its property, entered the roadway attacked a leashed terrier mix, Rizzitelli wrote in the report. The terrier “was screaming in pain as the dog attacked” and the officer saw “blood on its fur by its neck and left front paw,” he wrote.

Animal 411

Animal Control: Black Bear Seen Sunday in Irwin Park Has Moved On [VIDEO]

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A bear seen Sunday in Irwin Park (see video above, courtesy of Kevin Sheridan) was traveling through town and doesn’t live here permanently, according to the head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. The black bear “has moved back to New York,” according to Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn. “I received reports of the bear heading in that direction from three different residents,” Godejohn told NewCanaanite.com in an email when asked about the animal. “None of the bears we have in New Canaan live here. To the best of my knowledge bears come into New Canaan just to pass through from New York and Wilton.”

Even so, the sighting is a good reminder to New Canaanites that there are bears in town, Godejohn said.

Animal 411

New Canaan Police Seek Help in ID’ing Dog Owner [UPDATED]

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Update 4:30 p.m. on June 29

Animal Control located the dog’s owner. Original Story

New Canaan Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a dog owner. On Tuesday afternoon, the man’s dog was involved in an incident on Main Street and police want to contact him, according to a press bulletin issued by Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn. It wasn’t immediately clear what the incident involved. Police said only that they’re interested in speaking to the dog’s owner.

Animal 411

Animal Control: Renew Your Dog’s License by June 30

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Municipal officials are urging residents to renew their dogs’ licenses with the town, as a June 30 deadline nears. Under state law, dogs are required to be licensed when they’re six months or older, and must have a rabies vaccination, according to Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm. “We had over 2,700 licensed dogs last year and we’re going to pursue increasing that number,” Halm said. The town does enforce a $75 fine for unlicensed dogs, she added. Those with dogs that are not spayed or neutered pay a slightly higher licensing fee, Halm said.