By Harlan Levy
Journal Inquirer
WINDSOR LOCKS — A half-dozen residents of the Fox Hollow Road area near the town leaf compost dump have reported seeing and hearing a gang of coyotes apparently residing in the nearby woods.
“Every night, two or three times a night we hear howling which goes on for two, three, four, or five minutes at a time,” resident Dennis Touchette said.
A few weeks ago Touchette said he was walking his two cocker spaniels around 7 p.m. when he came close to some of the animals. “I saw three of them only 30 yards away,” he said. “They jumped over a snow bank, and they took off in the opposite direction.”
The animals are the size of German shepherds, Sandra Touchette said, “and they have now started to come out in the daytime. We are now having to carry baseball bats or golf clubs to protect our own pets on their walks.”
Dennis Touchette said he carries a golf club when he walks his dogs. Two female residents carry small baseball bats, and another man carries a large baseball bat.
A sign has been posted on the bulletin board next to the compost dump warning residents to beware of coyotes.
Several residents have contacted the town animal control official, the state Department of Environmental Protection, and police.
“DEP only wanted to give us the history of coyotes starting back in the early 1900s,” Sandra Touchette said. “I realize the storms have been a big problem and safe driving conditions are most important, but as a neighborhood we are not only afraid for our pets’ safety but our own safety as well.”
The police have no jurisdiction over wildlife. DEP does. Police Chief John Suchocki has called DEP on the matter at the beginning of the week and on Friday and was assured that an official would contact the Touchettes.
“Unfortunately we don’t have jurisdiction over wildlife unless there’s an immediate danger,” Suchocki said. “But if there’s an immediate danger to a resident or an animal, residents should call us.”
The police number is 860-627-1461.Windsor Locks residents say coyotes near dump a threat
“Every night, two or three times a night we hear howling which goes on for two, three, four, or five minutes at a time,” resident Dennis Touchette said.
A few weeks ago Touchette said he was walking his two cocker spaniels around 7 p.m. when he came close to some of the animals. “I saw three of them only 30 yards away,” he said. “They jumped over a snow bank, and they took off in the opposite direction.”
The animals are the size of German shepherds, Sandra Touchette said, “and they have now started to come out in the daytime. We are now having to carry baseball bats or golf clubs to protect our own pets on their walks.”
Dennis Touchette said he carries a golf club when he walks his dogs. Two female residents carry small baseball bats, and another man carries a large baseball bat.
A sign has been posted on the bulletin board next to the compost dump warning residents to beware of coyotes.
Several residents have contacted the town animal control official, the state Department of Environmental Protection, and police.
“DEP only wanted to give us the history of coyotes starting back in the early 1900s,” Sandra Touchette said. “I realize the storms have been a big problem and safe driving conditions are most important, but as a neighborhood we are not only afraid for our pets’ safety but our own safety as well.”
The police have no jurisdiction over wildlife. DEP does. Police Chief John Suchocki has called DEP on the matter at the beginning of the week and on Friday and was assured that an official would contact the Touchettes.
“Unfortunately we don’t have jurisdiction over wildlife unless there’s an immediate danger,” Suchocki said. “But if there’s an immediate danger to a resident or an animal, residents should call us.”
The police number is 860-627-1461.Windsor Locks residents say coyotes near dump a threat
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