Animal 411

Police: Two Dog Bites at Spencer’s Run in Waveny

By |

New Canaan Police last week responded to two dog biting incidents within hours of each other at Waveny Park. At about 10:24 a.m. on May 17, a woman reached down to separate a male golden retriever that had pinned a female poodle at Spencer’s Run, New Canaan’s dog park, according to a police report. She was bit while trying to intervene and unsure which dog bit her, according to Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm. 

Both New Canaan dogs were licensed and registered with the town to use Spencer’s Run, meaning they’re also up-to-date on their shots. 

At about 12:08 p.m. the same day, a female husky bit a male Labradoodle at the dog run after both of them went running after the same tennis ball, according to a police report. The victim dog suffered puncture wounds on his chest and face, the report said, and required medical attention. Asked about the incidents, Halm said, “You enter at your own risk.

Allyson Halm

‘Extraordinary Efforts’: Letters of Appreciation for New Canaan Police

By |

The following letters of appreciation for New Canaan Police officers were shared by Chief Leon Krolikowski at the Police Commission’s March and April meetings. ***

Officers George Caponera and Sebastian Obando

Dear Chief and John,

The Monday crew wanted to express our thanks to Officer [George] Caponera and Officer [Sebastian] Obando for their invaluable help yesterday. We had a critical patient who needed immediate care and transport to the rig and the officers initiated and assisted patient care. The officers also helped move several vehicles to allow the rig a quick egress. We were fortunate to work alongside this team yesterday and want them to know their actions were greatly valued. 

—Kaitlyn Lowe, NC EMS (March 30)

***

Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm

Good afternoon Chief—

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that once again [Animal Control Officer] Allyson [Halm] has done a great job on the Palmer case.

News

Full Disclosure: What Lurks in the Woods

By |

As new residents flock to New Canaan at a blistering pace and set exciting new real estate sales records, there are some pressing matters in the animal control department that newcomers and former city-folk need to get up to speed on. 

First, it should be obvious to new residents that there are many animals lurking about town. Since New Canaan is nestled in a heavily forested area, one should take proper precautions and remain aware, especially with small pets, or for people (like me) who have a propensity to attract wildlife. It’s a good reminder to be alert, as I have become increasingly too relaxed and tend to pooh-pooh those all too frequent neighborhood updates about roaming foxes, coyotes and the occasional escaped peacock. 

As a magnet for the absurd, I would even go so far as to recommend that anyone sporting a bushy ponytail should be aware of the slight risk that a hawk could mistake it for a squirrel riding atop your head. Believe me, if anyone’s ponytail is going to get dive-bombed by an angry winged creature, it’s probably me. 

With my twisted history encountering wild animals, I should be at a heightened state at all times. It would seem that I tend to lure them in with my special brand of “Cougar” pheromones.

Allyson Halm

Roaming Peacock Spotted in New Canaan [VIDEO]

By |



The head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section is asking residents to be on the lookout for a roaming domestic bird spotted this week in the northeastern part of town. The male peacock sighted Monday on County Club Road and Tuesday on Laurel Road is on the move during breeding season and “looking for a female,” Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm said. “We’re asking people who see the peacock to put out bread or cereal or oatmeal and see if we can get him to habituate to the property and if he’s hungry he can hang around, but experts say there’s enough resources in foraging so he’s probably not hungry,” she said. Halm said she has not yet received a report of a missing peacock though the bird most likely is someone’s pet. A resident may have acquired the peacock, as some do Guineafowl, to eat bugs and ticks.

Animal 411

New Canaan Animal Control Officer Receives Bear Spray Training, Certification

By |

Saying the town has seen a rise in the number of black bear sightings in recent years, New Canaan’s Animal Control officer has been trained and certified to carry bear spray this spring, officials say. The New Canaan Police Department receives reports of “a number of bear sightings” each year, Chief Leon Krolikowski said. “Most often, New Canaan bears avoid interacting with our residents,” he told NewCanaanite.com. “However, given that [Animal Control] Officer [Allyson] Halm is often called to handle a variety of wild and domestic animals, some who are quite unhappy, we issued her bear spray, provided training and certified her. This spray is not just for bears as it can be used to harmlessly re-direct a variety of animals.