Stamford Dog Bite Cases Up, Snake Ready to Join Them

The numbers are in for September and the Animal Care and Control Office Director Laurie Hollywood said the department responded to nine dog bites for the month, and several in the first week of October.

"That's a lot," Hollywood said. "And other towns are reporting rises in them as well. No one's entirely sure what the cause is, but we have some ideas."

Hollywood and Officer Tilford Cobb suspect the heightened levels of stress in the month lead to dogs being on edge more frequently. New routines like kids going back to school, changes in schedule and less time to spend with the pet can cause animals some concern.

The office suggests owners make sure they try to spend more time with their pets when routines change so the animal knows everything is alright and remains in a positive mindset.

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An update on the 8-foot long Red Tailed Boa Constrictor that was found in a recycling bin at Roosevelt Avenue and Grenhart Road.

The snake has found a home after undergoing treatment at the South Wilton Animal Hospital for an abscess in it's mouth that was affecting its ability to eat.

The constrictor will be taken in by Michael Ralbovsky of Rainforest Reptile Shows, who specialize in caring for exotic animals while using them to help educate people.

Hollywood said the organization works closely with the State Department of Agriculture.

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Animal Care & Control is assisting in an investigation in which a woman believes her dog is being poisoned by a neighbor in a condo complex.

The investigation is still active, but the woman claims her plant is the only one in the complex that is dead and she repeatedly finds small dead animals in her condo.

Her dog has also been exhibiting strange symptoms, but Cobb believes the dog could also possibly be suffering from allergies or food reactions.

Cobb said hopefully the University of Connecticut Patho-Biology lab would be able to give them some direction in the case.