Animal 411

‘Everything and Anything Is To Be Expected’: Springtime Wildlife in New Canaan [Q&A]

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With warmer weather finally arriving, New Canaan is seeing changes in the behavior of its wildlife, as well as the types of species that residents can expect to encounter with spring’s official start on Tuesday. We put some questions about the changes to Office Sean Godejohn, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. Here’s our exchange. ***

New Canaanite: We’re getting some warm days this week. What kind of new wildlife should New Canaanites expect to start seeing?

Animal 411

Black Bear Sighted Tuesday on Ludlowe Road Property

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A black bear was seen Tuesday night on an eastern New Canaan property that had already seen a bear on it this year. In March, a bear was seen on Ludlowe Road, apparently attracted to a bird feeder, officials have said. On Nov. 27, a black bear was photographed at the same residence—the first reported sighting in New Canaan since a bear was seen in Irwin Park in August. A bear and four cubs also had been spotted on Valley Road in June.

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.