Darien Answer Book
Darien Answer Book: Animals
Mar 11, 2008

Where do I get a dog license?

The town clerk’s office (656-7307) in the Darien Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road. All dogs must be licensed by the time they are six months old.

What do I need to get the license?

A valid rabies certificate. The cost is $19 for non-spayed or non-neutered dogs, and $8 if your dog’s been spayed or neutered. Dogs must by licensed by July 1, and by state law, there is a $1 penalty imposed for each month past July the dog is unlicensed.

Does my cat need a license?

Cats aren’t required to be licensed, but cats must be immunized against rabies.

My dog is lost. Where can I get help?

Call the dog warden, Chip Stahl, at 655-8686. If the dog’s been missing more than 24 hours it’s a good idea to call the animal control officers in neighboring towns.

May I take my dog to the beach?

Dogs are allowed at most town parks, such as Woodlands Park, Sellecks Woods, Tilley Pond Park, and Cherry Lawn Park. They are not allowed at any time at either Weed Beach or Pear Tree Point Beach.

What should I do if a loose dog is on my property, chasing my kids or cats?

Call the dog warden at 656-8686.

What is the law regarding roaming dogs?

State law prohibits dogs from roaming on someone else’s private property or on any portion of a public highway when not attended by an owner and 100% under the owner’s control. Allowing your dog to roam could get you a $92 fine.

Is it legal to allow a dog to soil another person’s property?

No, and this can net the dog owner a nuisance fine of $75.

Are cats allowed to roam onto others’ property?

Yes. The state considers cats to be feral by nature, and because of that, local and state animal control officers don’t pick them up.

Does anyone offer pet transportation services?

World Care Pet Transport, 472 Mansfield Avenue, (662-0672/worldcarepet.com) offers door-to-door service anywhere in the world.

Does anyone offer dog obedience classes?

Ox Ridge Obedience Training offers a number of evening classes from spring through fall, outdoors, at the First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan. Classes generally include puppy kindergarten, Canine Good Citizen training, companion dog training, and if there is sufficient interest, breed handling. For details, call Jane McLane at 966-3851.

All for the Dog, 74 Hoyt Street, offers dog obedience training. Call 327-3157.

Does anyone offer a pet first aid course?

The Darien/Stamford chapter of the American Red Cross (655-2586) teaches basic first aid and CPR for cats and dogs.

Are there animal hospitals in town?

There is the Darien Animal Hospital, 1302 Post Road (655-1449).

Where can I take my pet in an emergency?

Veterinary Referral and Emergency Clinic (854-9960), 134 West Cedar Street, Norwalk, is open 24 hours.

If your pet has eaten something poisonous and 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 $55 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/allpetscrematory.com), which offers a number of services and will come to your house to pick up your pet.

Where can I board my dog?

You can board your dog at Darien Animal Hospital (655-1449).

Or, if you’d rather Fifi stay home while you’re away, The Sitting Service, 1031 Post Road, offers pet sitting services in your home. Call 655-9783 or visit thesittingservice.com.

What should I do before boarding my pet?

Check with the kennel to see what vaccinations are required. Most require dogs to be immunized against rabies, distemper, and bordatella. Cats generally require vaccinations against FVRCP, rabies, and feline leukemia. You will need updated records from you vet proving your pet has been fully immunized.

Where can I adopt a dog or cat?

The dog pounds in towns like Norwalk or Stamford are good places to start. There’s also Strays and Others (966-6556/straysandothers.petfinder.com) in New Canaan, the no-kill Animals in Distress cat shelter (762-2006) next door to Wilton Town Hall on Danbury Road, Pet Animal Welfare Society (750-9572/pawsct.org) in Norwalk, the Connecticut Humane Society (227-4137), Save Our Strays (255-0514) in Westport, and Pups Without Partners, a greyhound adoption program in West Haven (933-3607/pupswithoutpartners.org). Many animal rescue groups also list adoptable animals on petfinder.com.

Can I run a dog kennel from my home?

No.

Is there any limit to the number of pets I may keep on my property?

No, not if they are truly household pets.

What about horses?

All horses must live in stables or barns. To keep one horse, an owner must provide an enclosed space of not less than 4,000 square feet, including stable area. For a second horse, there must be a minimum additional area of 2,000 square feet. These requirements do not apply to properties in excess of 25 acres. For more complete information about setbacks, etc., call planning and zoning at 656-7351.

Where can I get riding lessons or board a horse?

The Ox Ridge Hunt Club is at 512 Middlesex Road. Call 655-2559 for information.

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

What is Friends of Animals?

Friends of Animals is a nonprofit, international animal advocacy organization based in Darien. It works to cultivate a respectful view of animals, free-living and domestic. The group has an affordable breeding control program for dogs and cats. For information, visit the Web site friendsofanimals.org.

What is the town doing to control deer herds?

The Darien Deer Management Committee has served the town for the past 10 years, collecting scientific data and developing ways to reduce the over-abundant deer population. The committee still finds the most serious deer concerns involve tick-borne diseases, dangerous deer-vehicle collisions, plus damage to woodlands and landscapes through over-foraging. Typically a deer consumes about 10 pounds of vegetation a day, or over one ton each year. This destroys regrowth of American hardwood trees, while destroying other desirable, low vegetation.

According to the latest DEP count, an aerial survey in February 2007, Connecticut deer numbered 62,163, down from 75,771 in 2003, but still up from 49,472 in 1993. (These numbers are only approximate since the survey looked at only one percent of the state’s total deer habitat.) In any event, DEP estimated Fairfield County has an estimated 29.4 deer per square mile compared to the state average of 17. To virtually eliminate the spread of Lyme disease it is believed the deer density must be reduced to just 10 per square mile. Since the town instituted the committee, the average deer harvest in Darien has risen from just two to 60 per year, mostly from private land. Short managed hunts in  Selleck’s Woods were instituted in late 2005. Currently the prescribed goal of eight deer per hunt has been reached by the few selected bow hunters.

While some see the local deer population leveling off, we need to remember that left unchecked, healthy deer will double their numbers every two years. For more information on deer management visit the committee’s Web site at darienct.gov, and click on “Officials,” or call the town clerk. For information on deer hunting see the Recreation section of this Darien Answer Book.

What is the Fairfield County Municipal Deer Managment Alliance?

Darien is a member of this 15-town alliance that deals with the health, safety, and ecological issues relating to the county deer population. Public health issues include Lyme disease and the preponderance of deer ticks, which spread the disease. Safety relates to the number of car/deer accidents. Deer have also decimated the native wildflower population by overbrowsing, robbing native birds of some of their food sources and habitat. For information, visit deeralliance.com.

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. Nearly all “abandoned” fawns are truly not 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.

Are there any wildlife rehabilitators nearby?

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

Also in the area is Back to the Wild Rehabilitation Inc. (438-0618) in Ridgefield, a state-certified wildlife custodian and also permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to rehabilitate migratory birds.

Is there an emergency wildlife number?

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

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 dep.state.ct.us.

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 nearby towns 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 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, Burlington, 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. You may also call a local pest control company.

Are there any poisonous snakes or spiders 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?

Any open space or parkland is good for birding during the hours they are open. The Darien Audubon Society recommends Holly Pond and Cove Island Park, Gorham Pond at the Ring’s End Bridge, the Goodwives River, Peartree Point, Weed Beach, Spring Grove Cemetery, and Woodland Park. For details, go to audubon.darien.org.

The Bird Notes column in The Darien Times also has information on birding sites.

Wildlife preserves in the area include the New Canaan Nature Center on Oenoke Ridge Road, 966-9577; Woodcock Nature Center on Deer Run Road in Wilton, 762-7280; and Devil’s Den Preserve, Pent Road, Weston, 259-4991. Some 285 species have been reported 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 (203-394-6565). 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.