By Heather Killen
Spectator
NovaNewsNow.com
Some wild ones have moved into the Town of Bridgetown and a local mother is warning others to watch their children and pets.
Crystal Vienott said she’s heard numerous stories about foxes and coyotes being seen around town in recent weeks and she is concerned that not enough is being done to keep people aware of the problem, so that local kids and cats can be kept safe.
The first indication she had that something was wrong happened about six weeks ago, when her cat came home injured. She said its haunches looked as if a large set of jaws had tried to grab on as it was running away. At first she didn’t think much about it, but over the last few weeks she’s heard more stories of missing cats.
“They were definitely defensive wounds that happened as it was running away,” she said. Over the past month, she’s heard that three large cats have been found dead in town. And the talk around town is that people have been reporting seeing at least four foxes out and about.
Others in the vicinity have also reported seeing wildlife in their yards. Last week, two coyotes were seen hanging around the outskirts.
“I’m afraid for the pets and kids,” she said. “People should know not to leave food, or food waste around their yards.”
She added that she was told by Town Hall that the Department of Natural Resources has been notified and that a nuisance wildlife operator had been hired to trap the animals.
Melissa Young, clerk at town of Bridgetown, said that she can’t confirm the exact numbers of animals, but she has heard concerns from a few residents that foxes and coyotes have been seen around town. She also confirmed that three cats were found dead and several others have been reported missing around town.
She passed this information along to the local office of the Department of Natural Resources for follow-up and they hired a licensed trapper to deal with the problem.
A spokesperson at the Department of Natural Resources confirmed there have been several reported sightings of fox around the town, but was unable to confirm exact numbers, although a nuisance wildlife operator had been hired to trap the animals.
In the meantime, the best ways to avoid attracting wildlife this summer include not leaving food outside, keep barbecues and surrounding areas clean, use proper waste disposal and composting techniques.
More information about living near bears, coyotes, raccoons and other wildlife can be found on the DNR website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/living-with-wildlife
