Wilton Answer Book – Animals

Where do I get a dog license?

The town clerk’s office (563-0106) in the Wilton Town Hall, 238 Danbury Road (Route 7) issues dog licenses. Dogs must be licensed and the fine for having an unlicensed dog is $75. 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.

 

My dog is lost. Where can I get help?

You should call Wilton Animal Control at 563-0150. 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. Wilton requires dogs be on a leash in Wilton Center, including Schenck’s Island, Merwin Meadows and surrounding paths, all public sidewalks and roadways, the town hall complex, the Gilbert & Bennett School properties, all properties owned or operated by the Board of Education, and all playing fields operated and/or maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department. Dogs also may not run free at any public event or gathering of any kind, anywhere in the town. Violation of the leash law can result in a $50 fine.

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 at 563-0150.

 

Is there a pooper-scooper law?

Yes. Pet owners must pick up after their dogs on all public land and on any private property not owned by the dog owner. There are special trash bins for pet waste — by the parking lot at Schenck’s Island, along River Road, and at the entrance to the bike path at Merwin Meadows — to make it easier for dog owners to comply. Failure to do so may result in a $50 fine.

 

What about barking dogs?

This is the most common dog-related complaint in town. 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.

 

Does my cat 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 onto others’ property?

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

 

There’s a lost cat at my house. Whom do I call?

Since no laws cover roaming cats, animal control officers don’t pick them up. You could call a local animal shelter or welfare society. In Wilton, there’s the Animals in Distress cat shelter (762-2006) on Danbury Road. You could also try one of the animal shelters listed below.

 

Where can I adopt a dog or cat?

The animal shelter in town occasionally has stray dogs for adoption but check dog pounds in bigger towns like Norwalk and Danbury. There’s also the no-kill Animals in Distress cat shelter (762-2006) next door to the town hall annex on Danbury Road. Hours are Saturday, 2 to 4:30, and other times by appointment.

Other options are:

• ROAR Shelter (438-0158/roar-ridgefield.org) on South Street in Ridgefield
• Ridgefield Dog Pound (431-2711) also on South Street in Ridgefield
• Pet Animal Welfare Society (750-9572/pawsct.org) in Norwalk
• Connecticut Humane Society (227-4137)
• Save Our Strays (255-0514) in Westport
• 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 petfinder.com.

 

Is there a dog park in town?

A dog park has been on the table for years, but the town has taken little or no action to build one.

 

Can I run a dog kennel from my home?

You may not operate a commercial dog kennel from your home in Wilton but you may breed specific types of dogs if you have a breeder’s license.

 

Are there animal hospitals in town?

Animal hospitals include:

• Cannondale Animal Clinic (834-8855/cannondaleanimalclinic.com) at 481 Danbury Road
• Dr. Kevin J. Craw (762-8361), 114 Westport Road
• The Wilton Hospital for Animals (762-8321), 215 Danbury Road
• South Wilton Veterinary Group (762-2002/southwiltonvet.com), 51 Danbury Road
• Animal Eye Clinic (762-9399) 2 Pimpewaug Road

 

Where can I take my pet in an emergency?

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

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

If you can’t reach your own veterinarian right away, you can call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435. It is staffed 24 hours, but there is a charge for services. You may also visit online at aspca.org and click on Pet Care.

 

Where can I board my pet?

In Wilton, you can board a dog at Passage East Boarding Kennels (762-7998/passageeastkennels.com) at 499 Danbury Road (Route 7).

You may board your cat at Cannondale Animal Clinic (834-8855/cannondaleanimalclinic.com). Many veterinarians also offer boarding services. You may also check Classifieds for pet sitters.

 

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/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?

Call the animal control office at 563-0150. The Wilton Police Department should also be notified at 834-6260.

 

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

No, according to town officials, but people should not have so many animals on their property that they become a nuisance to neighbors.

 

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. Wilton does not prohibit any domestic animals otherwise allowed to be kept as pets under state law.

 

How about horses and livestock?

You may keep up to three horses in all residential one-acre and two-acre districts in Wilton. You can’t have more than one horse per half-acre.

Riding stables are also allowed in residential zones subject to special permit and site plan approvals. The site size must be at least 10 acres of “suitably drained land,’’ and you must have a plan for disposal of stable manure, and meet other restrictions. Call planning and zoning (563-0185) for details.

As for livestock, you may run a farm in Wilton if you’re growing fruit, vegetables or flowers, or if you’re raising horses or other “domestic’’ farm animals, such as chickens, according to local zoning regulations.

 

Where can I get riding lessons? Where can I board a horse?

The Wilton Riding Club (762-5232 or 762-1727) on Riding Club Road and Larkspur Farm (762-2995/larkspur-farm.com), 93 Silver Spring Road, offer both services.

 

Is there a pony club in town?

The Wilton Pony Club (wiltonponyclub.com) teaches children all aspects of horse care, including riding. Pony clubbers must have access to a horse to participate in most activities. Members ride at Millstone Farm and the Wilton Riding Club. For information, call Kelley Douglas, district commissioner, at 227-2901 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

May I keep honeybees?

Hives can easily be kept in a backyard and the bees rarely disturb the neighbors. The most common type of honeybee kept here is the Italian bee, a very docile creature that rarely stings, since stinging means certain death for the bee. Bees are essential for pollinating crops, including fruit trees, and gardens. In a good year, they will supply a surplus of honey. There is an active group of beekeepers throughout Fairfield County who belong to the Backyard Beekeepers Association (backyardbeekeepers.com). The group meets monthly (except July and August) at  Norfield Congregational Church in Weston, offers beginner beekeeping classes in the spring, and workshops throughout the year.

 

Is the town doing anything to control deer herds?

Yes, the town has an active Deer Management Committee, which works to implement the town’s deer management plan. The management plan focuses on the need to educate residents regarding the various public health, safety, and ecological impacts of deer overpopulation and the means by which the town can minimize those impacts. Chief among the goals is to cull the herd by conducting town-initiated hunts and encouraging private property owners to allow hunting as well. The committee has conducted annual controlled hunts on land owned by the Second Taxing District Water Company, Wilton Land Conservation Trust, and the town. In the 2008 season, 78 deer were taken, down from previous years.

Wilton also founded the Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance, which represents 14 Fairfield County towns. The alliance promotes a cooperative approach to deer management strategies, public education, and gives the member towns a more unified voice at the state and national levels. Additional information regarding deer overpopulation and what Wilton is doing can be found at deeralliance.com.

 

What about flocks of Canada geese?

Wilton began a new program this year that allows homeowners with open water on their land to either oil goose eggs themselves or permit town employees to come on their property to do so. Oiling the prevents the eggs from developing. The goal is to oil them before they start incubating. The program is voluntary. For information, call 563-0180.

 

Are there any area groups that rehabilitate injured or sick wildlife?

Wildlife in Crisis (544-9913/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.

Also in the area is Back to the Wild Rehabilitation in Ridgefield (438-0618/backtothewildrehab.com), which specializes in birds, primarily raptors (hawks, eagles, vultures, etc.) and specifically owls. The organization will also work with abandoned nonwildlife such as ducks, geese, parrots, and peacocks.

Both are state-certified wildlife custodians and are also permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to rehabilitate migratory birds.

 

There appears to be an abandoned fawn in my front 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. Nearly all “abandoned” fawns are truly not abandoned. Keep yourself and your pets far away.

Fawns are born from late May through June. 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. Often does will not return to their fawns until after dark. It may take a good 24 hours for a doe to feel safe enough to return to her fawn. For the first five days after they are born, fawns will not run when approached, instead lying still. From the seventh day on, they exhibit flight behavior, but will not venture out to browse with their mothers until they are a month old.

If there is a dead doe nearby, the fawn may be orphaned. Call the DEP at 860-424-3011 or Wildlife in Crisis at 544-9913.

 

Is there an emergency wildlife number?

For a true wildlife emergency, such as illegal hunting or poaching, call the state Department of Environmental Protection at 860-424-3333. For complaints about nuisance wildlife, call 860-424-3000.

 

What should I do if I am approached by an aggressive wild turkey?

This may seem like a joke, but it can be a real problem. Wild turkeys live in every town in Connecticut, and in Wilton flocks numbering as many as 25 have been reported. Adult males can grow quite large, up to four feet tall and weigh 20 pounds or more. When fully puffed out, they can be quite impressive and intimidating. All turkeys, especially the males, have long spurs on the backs of their legs that they use for protection. Turkeys can become quite aggressive in the spring, but people have reported aggressive and threatening turkey behavior at other times of the year, when there were no nests or chicks to protect.

To avoid unhappy turkey incidents, you should not leave any bird seed, pet food crumbs, or other types of food outdoors. Never feed turkeys directly. Turkeys generally retreat when given a shove, but you might want to do that with a broom or other item that will get your point across without injuring the bird. If that doesn’t work, call DEP’s wildlife division at 860-424-3333.

 

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 unlikely 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 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 last year coyotes attacked other animals in town and killed a family dog. Small dogs and cats are particularly at risk.

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.

If you believe a coyote may be a threat to you or a pet, call Animal Control Officer Robert Napoleon at 563-0150 for assistance. You may also call the DEP wildlife emergency number at 860-424-3333 or the Wilton Police at 834-6260. If it is a true emergency, call 911.

 

What should I do if I see a black bear?

Black bear sightings have become more common in this area each year. Bears are attracted to garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and birdfeeders. To discourage bears from hanging around your home, the state Department of Environmental Protection advises people discontinue use of birdfeeders from late March through November, keep garbage cans inside a garage or shed, clean and store barbecue grills after use, don’t leave pet food outside overnight, and don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile. Above all, don’t intentionally feed bears.

Aggression by bears towards humans is very rare, however, when hiking it is a good idea to keep dogs on a leash. A bear may view a roaming dog as a threat. If you see a bear from a distance, make your presence known by making noise and waving your arms. If you surprise a bear, walk away slowly. To report a bear sighting, call the DEP at 860-675-8130 or go online to ct.gov/dep. 

 

How can I get rid of squirrels or bats in my attic?

DEP’s wildlife division (860-424-3000) will offer advice and suggestions over the phone. They will also give out the names of commercial wildlife control operators in this area.

Local wildlife removal services include Ridgefield Wildlife Service (431-9550), available 24 hours a day.

 

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 Department of Environmental Protection 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. “A Walker’s Guide to Wilton,’’ ($4.95 at the Conservation Commission office or at the Wilton Library) has specific locations. Also read the Bird Notes column in The Bulletin.

Wildlife preserves in the area include:

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

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

 

Does Connecticut have a zoo?

The state’s only accredited zoo is the Beardsley Zoo on Noble Avenue in Bridgeport (394-6565), a 30-minute drive from Wilton. 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 Tropics 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. The Web site is beardsleyzoo.org.

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