Tolland Dogs OK After Minor Rabies Scare

TOLLAND, CT — Animal Control officers had a slight rabies scare recently when two local dogs killed a skunk, according to the latest public safety report to the Town Council.

The skunk tested positive for rabies, but the dogs were current with their vaccinations and only required a booster and 45-day in-home quarantine, according to the report.

Officers also thwarted a cat owner who tried to abandon the animal, according to a report.

A cat was brought into the animal shelter by someone claiming the animal "had been hanging around a resident’s home for a few days."

The following day after advertising the cat, officers received information that the person who brought in the cat was actually the owner, according to the report.

"We contacted the person, and as a result of our investigation, were able to collect the cost of the veterinary care the cat received," animal control officers said in the report.

The owner then surrendered the cat and it has been adopted by a couple from Stafford.

Other highlights of the report are:

• A Homing pigeon wouldn’t leave a residence on Dorothea Lane so we took possession and attempted to track the leg bands. The pigeon’s owner was eventually found via a photo on the department's Facebook page and they have been reunited.

• An orphaned squirrel was found on a hiking trail by a resident and taken into the shelter. A rehabilitator was found and the little female is doing well.

• A miniature horse was found roaming on Baxter Street and was escorted home by Animal Control. Since the owner was unable to be contacted at the time, the horse was secured in a paddock away from the area in which he had escaped from twice that day.

Photo Credit: Town of Tolland