Fisher Cat Stalking Waltham Neighborhood

Cedarwood neighborhood residents are expressing concern about recent spottings of at least one fisher cat in their area.

According to residents, the fisher cat, a member of the weasel family, has recently been spotted several times in their neighborhood, causing them concern over the safety of their pets and children.

While it is unclear how long the cat has been lurking in the neighborhood, Florence Street resident Michele Kosboth told Waltham Patch she spotted it in her yartd on Feb. 21. She then posted a warning to her neighborhood's Facebook page to alerts others. She also contacted the Waltham Animal Control Departemnt and was told to ignore the cat. It would leave the area, Kosboth said she was told.

Kosboth, however, is concerned the cat could hurt her two dogs or son or cats liviing in the area. It has already attacked a squirell at another residents home, Kosboth said.

"I don’t think [the dogs] would back off from something like this. I think they would lose against a fisher cat," Kosboth said.

Other residents recounted their experiences with the cat on the Facebook page.

"As some of you already know, the fisher cat went into [my] rabbit's hutch and attacked him. He mauled his face and left him in his hut. My family is very upset over this and I am looking into getting another bunny for my daughter," wrote Cedarwood resident Gina Condon on the Facebook page.

Fisher cats can pose a threat to various animals, but residents can take steps to avoid problems, according to the state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Web site. Domestic cats, rabbits and chickens should be kept indoors at all times since the fisher preys on them, according to the site. Residents can also remove food sources that would attract fisher cats, including bird feeders. Compost piles and garbage cans should also be tightly secured.

Waltham Police did not immediately respond to attempts to reach them on Monday.