Ledyard residents are on the alert after a fisher attacked a family dog last week.
A Ledyard family says its dog suffered a horrible attack by a fisher.
"It’s extremely difficult for me to see him like this because he’s my baby," said Tracey Wenke, whose 13-year-old Schnauzer-Jack Russell mix needed several emergency surgeries after the attack.
Wenke said a fisher went after her dog Buca in the family's backyard last Wednesday.
"That whole night I didn’t know if he was going to make it. I really didn’t. I was petrified. I was afraid I was losing my best buddy," said Wenke.
Fishers are part of the weasel family and have been seen across the state. Last year in Madison, a man recorded video of a fisher running through his front yard.
Ledyard Mayor John Rodolico said it’s rare for one to attack a dog because fishers usually go after smaller animals.
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"We certainly caution people as always to keep their animals either in a fenced in area or to keep them on a leash," said Rodolico.
Wenke said she had always kept a close eye on Buca when she lets him outside. She’s not sure how the attack happened.
"I need to be continuously grateful and thankful he’s OK for now," said Wenke. "Hopefully he’s going to continue to get stronger and pull through."
Wenke said the family believes the fisher is still in the area and will not let Buca outside for more than a couple minutes.
