ENFIELD, CT — A rather pungent predicament has developed on a secluded dead-end street just off Route 5, as local residents have voiced their anxieties to both their district town councilor and the Enfield Police Department regarding a neighbor’s troubling habit of leaving food out for wild animals. This practice has seemingly attracted an influx of skunks and coyotes to the area, creating a nuisance for the homeowners.
During a district meeting on October 21, District 2 councilor John Santanella shed light on the escalating issue, describing it as a “serious animal infestation problem” affecting the Westford Avenue neighborhood. He noted that one resident has been consistently placing food out for the local wildlife at all times, both day and night, exacerbating the situation.
When pressed for clarification, Town Attorney Tom Tyler stated that there is no existing town ordinance that prohibits such actions. “It is beyond our jurisdiction,” he emphasized, highlighting a potential gap in local regulations regarding wildlife management.
Westford Avenue is comprised of a small cluster of nine houses which intersects with Belmont Avenue, creating a close-knit community. The residents are increasingly concerned that some of the animals being lured into their vicinity may carry rabies or other health threats. Santanella revealed that one frustrated homeowner resorted to placing poison in an attempt to eliminate the skunks. In their desperate bid for resolution, the residents have reached out to both the regional health district and the animal control officers at the police department for assistance.
In an interview with Patch, Animal Control Officer David Yoho confirmed that his office received a complaint on October 20 regarding a sick skunk observed on Westford Avenue, which was subsequently euthanized to mitigate health risks. “We do have a healthy population of coyotes in Enfield,” Yoho pointed out. “They are found in every neighborhood throughout the town,” emphasizing the widespread nature of the wildlife issue impacting communities.