Here’s a warning about unpleasant critters, namely fishers, large weasel-like animals, populating in Ontario, Canada. Apparently, they were released to help control the porcupine population to the north. But they also prey on cats.
I didn’t worry about them. Then late at night, I heard an awful sound like a cat fight (we sometimes get strays caterwauling). I called out a window (I’d been fast asleep), and then all was silent.
In the morning, Molly, my beloved tabby, was missing, and we never saw her again. Of course, I prefer to keep the cats in at night, but they can be independent. I miss Molly so much and hate to think of what probably happened.
Later, I spoke to neighbors, and almost everyone had a fisher story. Scores of barn cats had gone missing. So we started to feed our cats only at nightfall to keep them in the house. They became sulky about the whole business.
A few years ago our golden retriever was mangled. We couldn’t figure out what made the puncture wounds and claw slashes. Now we suspect a fisher.
Mary Jane McDowell
Ontario, Canada
(February 9, 2007)
ARCHIVES |
