Allyson Halm

Town Officials See Sharp Uptick in Turtle Sightings

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Town officials say they’re receiving an unprecedented number of reports regarding turtles out and about in recent weeks—a phenomenon that experts attribute to an unusually high water table. Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section, said in 15 years she’s never seen such high activity. Though Animal Control keeps no formal count of snapping and painted turtle sightings, Halm said they’ve come in recently from areas including Long Lots Road, Carter Street, Greenley Road and Chichester Road. A concerned resident on Huckleberry Hill Road on Wednesday stood out to protect a turtle as it crossed Valley Road, she said. Dara Reid of Wildlife In Crisis, a 30-year-old nonprofit organization that serves Fairfield County, said she’s seeing about double the number of snapping turtles hit by cars than usual, including one that’s about 50 years old.

Animal 411

Town Worker Rescues Goose Caught in Soccer Net at Saxe

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A Canada goose caught in a soccer net at Saxe Middle School is recovering at an area animal hospital thanks to a town employee. Dave Peters of the Parks Department, who had been mowing a field at Saxe on Monday afternoon, stopped his mower and contacted police for assistance in freeing the struggling bird, according to Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. “We were able to cut it free, but I knew I couldn’t release it because it had opened wounds which would attract flies then produce maggots,” Halm told NewCanaanite.com. 

The goose now is recuperating at South Wilton Veterinary Group and will be released once healed, she said. The Oct. 1 rescue follows an incident about one month ago at Kiwanis Park where an area mom of two young kids rescued an injured Canada goose under attack by red-tailed hawks.

Animal 411

‘Frozen in Fear’: Cat Found Dumped in Waveny Is Up for Adoption

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A domestic shorthair cat that officials say likely was “dumped” in Waveny is now up for adoption. 

A woman came across the white-silver tabby on the afternoon of Sept. 24 and thought the cat injured because the animal didn’t move as she passed with a leashed dog, according to Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. The approximately 5- to 10-year-old cat was “found curled in a ball, frozen in fear in the parking lot across from the main house,” Halm said. Because the cat didn’t move when Halm approached, police thought she must’ve been severely injured. But the animal was just frightened, Halm said.

Animal 411

PHOTOS: Police See Sharp Rise in Coyote Sightings 

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Police say they’re seeing a spike in coyote activity, with nine sightings so far in September. The coyotes likely are juveniles born last spring who have been kicked out of their dens or young males doing surveillance for the next breeding season, according to Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. She’s encouraging residents to use hazing techniques when encountering the animals. “The calls are coming in one after another,” Halm said. “People just have to realize it’s a lifestyle change if you want to protect your pet this is what we have to do.”

Here’s a snapshot of September sightings:

Coyotes are monogamous and generally breed between January and March, giving birth from April to mid-May following a gestation period of about 63 days, officials say.

Animal 411

Dog Bites New Canaan Girl in Face

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A New Canaan girl suffered abrasions on her nose and cheek after a friend’s dog bit her during a play date, according to police records. The dog—a Rhodesian Ridgeback named ‘Dunkin’—had been fostered by a Gerdes Road family for just five days when he bit the 15-year-old girl on Aug. 31, sending her to Norwalk Hospital for treatment, according to a case report obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a Freedom of Information Act request. Police learned of the incident the following day when the dog’s owner, a New Milford woman, phoned to ask about what happens after a dog bite, according to the report, filed by Officer Roy Adams. Adams advised the woman that the dog must undergo a quarantine at a licensed facility. 

By that time, a Ridgefield woman and friend of the owner had already removed the dog, the report said. Ultimately, police confirmed with Dunkin’s veterinarian—New Milford-based Candlewood Animal Hospital—that the dog is up-to-date on his shots, and he underwent the required 14-day quarantine at Passage East Kennels of Wilton.