SOUTHWICK – Bears have been spotted wandering behind homes and around the neighborhoods of Southwick lately.
According to Southwick Animal Control Officer Tracy Root, she’s recently received reports about bears.
“We have had a lot of calls about bears lately in town which means the population is a lot bigger,” said Root.
Bears have been spotted in Southwick all spring and summer. (WNG File Photo)
The major issue is that some of a bear’s food sources are being exposed. People still have bird feeders out and trash cans open, which leads bears and other animals to the backyards of homes.
“Bears are opportunists just like raccoons, they’re going to go where they smell the food,” said Root.
While Root noted that she hasn’t received any calls about coyotes being spotted, she has been informed about fox sightings. Root wants to make the community aware that a lot of fox have mange right now. Mange is when a parasite lives on a fox’s body and flares up and takes some of the hair off the animal and causes them to have relentless itching. Mange makes the animal look scrawny and sickly.
If people see fox out during the daylight more than usual, they shouldn’t be alarmed as they could be trying to get through the mange. Root added that mange can be a fatal disease for animals like fox and even dogs.
“They’re out during the day in hopes of finding food,” said Root.
With an increase of these wild animal sightings the Southwick Animal Control wants to remind pet owners to always monitor their household pets when they are outside or keep them inside.
Although Root notes that foxes usually won’t go after domestic animals, coyotes will certainly go after a small dog or cat.
“Be aware of your surroundings, keep your dogs and cats close by,” said Root. “Know that the bears and other animals are out there.”
