Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Wildlife can make dangerous neighbors

Letting your pets roam around free outdoors puts them in great risk of being attacked by wild animals. Fishers, shown here, are common to the East Longmeadow area and have reportedly attacked cats locally. Reminder Publications photo courtesy of www.thetunnelrats.com
By Debbie Gardner

PRIME Editor



Rumors of a cougar roaming on Wilbraham Mountain. Suspected attacks on domestic cats by fishers a large, fairly vicious weasel-like animal in East Longmeadow.

Is wildlife suddenly moving into our suburban backyards?

Or, as Marion Larson, information and education biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in Westborough, Mass., explained to Reminder Publications, is it simply that we've made it easier for the wildlife to live with us?



The suburban "woodland"

"We've developed areas that are more attractive to wildlife" she said in answer to The Reminder's question about the increase in wildlife sightings. "They thrive [in urban/suburban areas] because there's lots of birdseed or trash that's put out the night before, creating an all-night, all-you-can-eat buffet and the shelter is great, such as under porches."

For example, according to Larson, "there are more raccoons per square mile in urban/suburban areas because there is more food" than in woodland settings.

"East Longmeadow is host to lots of wildlife," Larson said, referring to The Reminder's hometown. "Fishers, coyotes and foxes are all very common in this area."

For information about living with wildlife, Larson said readers should visit the Departments' Web site at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_home.htm



Wildlife and your pets

If you let your pets roam loose outdoors, you are definitely putting your animals at risk, according to Larson, "whether it be attacks by wild animals, attacks by other pets, or cars."

And in terms of the suspected attack on some pet cats in East Longmeadow, she said that type of an incident is a real possibility.

"I do want to make it clear that there are several potential predators for cats. It could be one of a variety of creatures," she said, again referencing the prevalence of fishers, coyotes and foxes in this suburb.

"Pets are at risk because they are part of the [outdoor] environment, and the rules don't change in the environment," Larson said. "[These predators] look upon a cat as a meal, maybe an easier meal."

Dr. William M. Martin, veterinarian/owner of the East Longmeadow Animal Hospital, said he has had occasional reports from clients who have seen "[fishers] walking away with [their pets] in their mouths," but could not confirm a report in the past six months.

Linda Johnson, Animal Control Officer for the Town of East Longmeadow also could not confirm any reports of fisher attacks, but did acknowledge that these animals are "pretty vicious."

"If you see one, you want to leave it alone and go away," she said.



If your outdoor pet is injured

"Say you open your door and there's your cat [or dog] and it's injured," Larson said. "Your instinct will be to pick up your animal."

At that point Larson said you need to stop and think before you try and comfort Fluffy.

"Rabies is something you need to think about," she said. "You need to take precautions."

"If your animal was attacked by a rabid animal, you do not want to get any blood or saliva on you, or you can get rabies," she said.

She said that prior to touching your injured pet, you need to glove up, and put on a garment with long sleeves.

"You have to protect yourself first," she said. "And you need to call your vet about booster shots."