Weston Answer Book – Animals

Where do I get a dog license?

The town clerk’s office (222-2616) in Weston Town Hall on Norfield Road. Dogs are required to be licensed and the fine for having an unlicensed dog is $60. To get a license, you must have a valid rabies certificate for your dog. Dogs must be vaccinated by the time they are five months old.

The cost is $19 for non-spayed or neutered dogs, and $8 if your dog’s been spayed or neutered. Dogs must be licensed by July 1, and by state law, a $1 penalty is imposed for each month past July the dog is unlicensed. Licenses must be renewed every year.

Does anyone offer a rabies clinic?

The Westport Weston Health District offers rabies shots for dogs and cats in conjunction with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association. Call 227-9571 for details.

What should I do if my pet is in a fight with a wild animal?

Because rabies is so prevalent, it is probably safest to assume that any wild animal in a fight with your pet is rabid. Never try to break up a fight between your pet and a wild animal. If your pet is bitten or has had contact with a potentially rabid animal, wear protective rubber gloves when handling it or treating its wounds. Call your veterinarian immediately for further advice. He or she will probably want to examine and treat your pet for wounds and determine if rabies prophylaxis or revaccination is needed.

If you are unsure if your pet has had contact with a potentially rabid animal either through a bite or scratch, and regardless of vaccination status, take the pet to a local veterinarian immediately.

It is also a good idea to call Animal Control (222-2642) and report any wild animal you suspect may be infected. If the animal in question is still around, the animal control officer can have it tested.

My dog is lost. Where can I get help?

You should call Weston Animal Control at 222-2642. If the dog’s been missing for more than 24 hours, you should call the animal control officers in neighboring towns.

What is the law regarding roaming dogs?

State law prohibits dogs from roaming on someone else’s private property or on any portion of public highway when not attended by an owner and 100% under the owner’s control. A leash is helpful but not required.

If a loose dog is on your property, chasing your children or pets, or being a nuisance in any other way, you should call the animal control officer. The fine for letting your dog roam loose is $75.

What about barking dogs?

Nuisance barking can result in a $75 fine for the first offense. A second offense is a misdemeanor and the owner will have to appear in court.

Are there any dog obedience classes?

Paws Up Positive Training (544-9033/ www.pawsuppdt.com) in Georgetown offers obedience classes for puppies and dogs.

Good Citizen Dog Training is offered in Georgetown. Call 938-2951.

Canine College is located in neighboring Redding (938-2124).

There is also Bone Afide Dog Training in Ridgefield (544-0400/ www.bone-afidedogtraining.com) and A Canine Training Center in Norwalk (846-3647).

Do cats need a license?

Cats aren’t required to be licensed but codes require cat owners must be able to prove their pets have had rabies vaccinations.

Are cats allowed to roam on others’ property?

Yes, the state considers cats to be feral by nature.

Is there any limit on the number of domestic animals people may keep on their property?

There are no limits to the number of cats or dogs you may keep at home, as long as they are truly pets and you are not raising them to sell. You are not allowed to run a kennel from your home — or anywhere else, for that matter — in Weston.

Where can I adopt a dog or cat?

There is a no-kill Animals in Distress cat shelter (762-2006) next door to the Wilton Town Hall annex on Danbury Road. Hours are Saturday, 2 to 4:30, and other times by appointment.

Other options are the Pet Animal Welfare Society (750-9572/ www.pawsct.org) in Norwalk, the Connecticut Humane Society (227-4137/ www.cthumane.org), Save Our Strays (255-0514) in Westport, and Strays and Others (966-6556/straysandothers.petfinder.com) in New Canaan.

Many area shelters, including Animals in Distress and Save Our Strays, are listed on the Web at www.petfinder.com or www.animalshelter.org.

Are any animals illegal to have as pets?

Generally speaking, people are prohibited from having animals considered “wild’’ by the State Department of Environmental Protection as pets. Call 860-424-3011 for more information. 

How about horses or chickens?

Both are allowed. For horses, there are no acreage requirements, although common sense should be used regarding fencing, stabling, and manure management. You should check with the Westport Weston Health District about manure management plans and other health requirments.

Chickens are allowed under Weston’s farming regulations. However, if you keep roosters, you should keep in mind they may be an annoyance to your neighbors.

Where can I take my pet in an emergency?

If you cannot reach your own vet or if it is after hours, there are two emergency clinics.

The Animal Emergency Clinic of Danbury (790-6383) is at 22 Newtown Road, Danbury. It is open Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning; from Saturday at 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday morning; and 24 hours on most holidays.

The Veterinary Referral and Emergency Clinic at 134 West Cedar Street, Norwalk, is open 24 hours a day. Call 854-9960.

If you can’t reach your own veterinarian right away, you can call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 800-548-2423. It is staffed 24 hours a day, but there is a charge for services.

Whom may I call if my pet dies at home?

Most veterinarians will assist in sending a pet for burial or cremation. You may also call All Pets Crematory in Stamford (967-4949/ www.allpetscrematory.com), which offers a number of services and will come to your house to pick up your pet.

A dog ran out in front of my car and I hit it. What should I do?

Do not abandon the animal, but do not touch it, either. Injured animals can bite out of fear. Call the animal control officer at 222-2642. If he cannot be reached right away, call the Weston Police at 222-2600.

Is there anywhere to ride a horse?

There are riding trails through the Trout Brook Valley conservation area.

Is there a wildlife rehabilitator nearby?

Yes. Wildlife in Crisis (544-9913/ www.wildlifeincrisis.com), under the aegis of director Dara McDonough-Reid, helps rehabilitate orphaned, sick and injured wildlife. The organization welcomes volunteers and donations. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1246, Weston 06883.

Is there an emergency wildlife number?

The emergency number for the state Department of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division, is 860-424-3333.

Is the town doing anything to control deer herds?

In 2005, Weston’s Board of Selectmen appointed a Select Committee on Deer Management and charged it with studying the deer that live in Weston, whether the herd is too large, and if so, how it can be reduced. 

The committee’s Selected Findings and Proposed Recommendations, which are on file at the town clerk’s office, were presented to the selectmen in June 2006. It determined that there is no real urgency in Weston when it comes to reducing the deer population. The deer committee was disbanded after its final findings and recommendations were presented.

The Nature Conservancy, which owns and manages Devil’s Den Nature Preserve on Pent Road, has conducted controlled deer hunts there for the past seven years. The most recent was conducted in December 2007. The meat from deer taken during the controlled hunt is given to Hunters for the Hungry, an organization that donates venison to food banks.

There appears to be an abandoned fawn in my yard. What should I do?

Definitely do not touch it or move it as your scent will scare off the mother, who may be hiding nearby. Lone fawns are rarely abandoned. Deer will leave their fawns for periods of time. Often, deer give birth in the middle of the night and leave the fawn during the day, particularly if people are around. The fawn’s camouflage helps protect it from predators. 

If there is a dead doe nearby, the fawn may be orphaned. Call DEP at 860-424-3011 or, if the fawn appears injured, you may call Wildlife In Crisis in Weston at 544-9913.

Should I be concerned if I see a raccoon during the day?

Even healthy raccoons are active during the day, especially in spring and early summer when they are taking care of a family. If the animal is obviously sick (acting aggressive, circling, stumbling, acting disoriented or showing signs of paralysis) call the local police or animal control officer. In the event they cannot be reached and it is truly an emergency, call DEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3333 to reach a local conservation officer.

I saw a coyote in my yard. What should I do?

Coyotes now live and breed in every town in Connecticut. They are extremely adaptable and comfortable living in close proximity to residential areas. They are usually not a threat to humans; however coyotes may attack pets, particularly cats. Rarely have there been reports of coyotes attacking small dogs.

Coyotes eat a variety of foods including rodents, birds, fruit, and berries and will also eat food provided by people including spilled bird seed, compost piles, pet foods, or unsecured garbage. If you live in an area frequented by coyotes and you have cats or very small dogs, your pets should be supervised while outdoors. Keeping pets indoors or limiting their time outdoors, especially at night when coyotes are most active, is recommended.

For more information, call DEP Wildlife Division at 860-675-8130 or the Hartford office at 860-424-3011.

How can I get rid of nuisance animals?

DEP’s wildlife division (860-424-3011) will offer advice and suggestions over the phone. It will also give out the names of commercial wildlife control operators in this area. The same information is available from the DEP emergency dispatcher at 860-424-3333.

Local wildlife removal services include Ridgefield Wildlife Service (431-9550).

Are there any poisonous snakes or spiders that I should know about?

Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads are the only poisonous snakes native to Connecticut and are found only in certain areas. They are rare and their bites are rarely fatal unless one is allergic. They will bite only when threatened. It is important to remember nearly all snakes found around the home are perfectly harmless.

Both the black widow spider and far less common brown recluse are poisonous. Their bites are rarely fatal, but again victims may be subject to allergic reactions.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, entomology department (203-974-8600), reports seeing only one black widow spider in the last 20 years.

All spider bites are venomous to some degree. People bitten should save the spider and seek emergency help by calling the Poison Control hotline (800-343-2722).

The elderly, children, people with heart conditions, and pregnant women should be wary. Seek medical attention immediately when bitten by a snake, spider or other creature. Call the state DEP emergency line (860-424-3333) or local wildlife service for more information.

Are there good places to go birding in the area?

You may go birding at any open space or park during the hours they are open. For special events, check the Bird Notes column in The Forum.

Wildlife preserves in the area include: 

• Devil’s Den Preserve (226-4991) on Pent Road
• Woodcock Nature Center (762-7280) on Deer Run Road in Wilton
• New Canaan Nature Center (966-9577), Oenoke Ridge Road
• Connecticut Audubon Center in Fairfield, 259-6035

Some 285 species of birds have been seen at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport (226-6983).

Does Connecticut have a zoo?

Yes. The state’s only accredited zoo is the Beardsley Zoo on Noble Avenue in Bridgeport (394-6565), a 30-minute drive from Weston. 

The zoo exhibits North and South American animals, including many endangered and threatened species, on 52 acres in Beardsley Park. Highlights include a New World tropical rain forest (open 10:30 to 3:30) with toucans, scarlet ibis, caiman, and monkeys; New England farmyard; pop-up prairie dog exhibit; Victorian carousel and Victorian greenhouse.

The zoo is open from 9 to 4 year round, but closes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Special events are held throughout the year. 

Visit www.beardsleyzoo.org.

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