Warren Connecticut

by Dr. Everett Vreeland

Of course, the main thing going on this time of year is the yearly migration of millions of birds. They are excited to be moving, and show it in their behavior. New types of food abound, new species are mixed in as they fly. Familiar places are recognized daily, and the beginnings of rare sexual stirrings excite them all. The first to show here are the redwing blackbirds that post themselves in treetops around swamps establishing nesting areas that await the females that arrive a few weeks later. Then male robins with dark heads seem to fill every lawn to be followed in a week or so by females(no dark heads). Catbirds and thrushes will be here soon followed by warblers, small and in mixed groups. Most interesting to me are the ducks as species fly through that are never seen here on a regular basis. Golden-eyes, Buffle-Heads, Ring-necks, Hooded mergansers, Red-heads and even Canvas-backs can be seen. I rarely have seen pin-tails on the river. When you see “just ducks” on the puddles take note of their variety in size and plumage. If you don’t wreak the car, you will be aghast at the many types and find yourself waiting to see them every spring. (more…)

The Women’s Auxiliary of the Warren Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., will be holding a Pancake Breakfast at the Warren Town Hall, Sackett Hill Road, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2006. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

All you can eat: O.J., pancakes - plain or blueberry, sausage, coffee or tea. Tickets are: Adults $4.00 and children $2.00. Children under 3 are free.

For more information call: 868-2187

An early spring walk down Brick School Road turned dangerous when a loose dog attacked.  As my husband and I walked along with our 11-year-old Labrador retriever on a short lease at a heel, a loose dog approached from the rear and with no warning attacked our Lab. It took a second to realize it was attacking and not just approaching for a sniff, but lots of yelling broke off the attack and the offending dog was chased away.

With blood running down his face, our old dog made it home.  The injury was sufficiently serious to require an emergency trip to the vet, where he was cleaned, medicated and given a rabies booster shot.  While his shots were up-to-date, it was not immediately clear that the offending dog had been vaccinated.

When the dog warden, Cindy Brisset was contacted, she checked her records and found that the owner of the attacking dog had not licensed it.  Since it is often the case that people who fail to license also fail to vaccinate, we had to proceed on the assumption that the dog might have been rabid.

Ms. Brisset acted quickly to contact the dog’s owner, identify the veterinarian who had administered rabies vaccine to the dog and to warn the owner to obtain a license and contain her dog or face penalties. Dog owners who fail to license and who allow dogs to roam face significant penalties as well as liability for any damage the dog may cause.

The good news in this case is that the victim is recovering nicely.  The owner called to apologize, paid the vet bill and pledged to license and contain the offending dog in the future.

Remember that licenses are due for renewal in June each year.  The town clerk sends reminders to all owners of currently licensed dogs in May.  Any dog over 6 months old must be licensed. When a resident acquires a dog, it must be licensed within 30 days. To obtain a license, rabies shots must be up-to-date and a veterinarian’s certificate showing the expiration date of the vaccination must be presented.

A clinic has been scheduled for May 20 at the Washington Town Garage for rabies vaccinations. More information about the clinic will be available on this website prior to that event.

The annual Memorial Day Parade will take place in the center of town on Sunday May 28, 2006 beginning at 12:00 PM.

There will be a budget hearing on the 2006-2007 budget on Monday April 10, 2006 at 7:30 PM in the James M. Eisenhaure Auditorium at Wamogo High School.

There will be a informational meeting on the Region 6 budget for the coming fiscal year on Wednesday April 26, 2006 at 7:30 PM. This meeting will be held at the Warren School.

May is Lyme Disease Prevention Month in the Torrington Area Health District. Please give TAHD your support. Wear Lime Green on Monday May 1st.

VNA Northwest, Inc. will offer a Bend & Stretch Clinic for older adults at The Academy. It will be held on Mondays from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15 & 22. There is limited space. Call 1-800-752-0215 or 860-567-6000 to register.