Occupants living on Ashton Ave, Beverly MA put trays of food outside of their house to feed Feral cats on a daily basis. Did you know that direct feeding can alter an animals normal behavior? Problems arise when animals become habituated, aka used to people, though a prolonged period of direct/or indirect feeding.
The daily feeding from the occupants on Ashton Ave has attracted wildlife animals such as skunks and raccoons. These wildlife animals now have learned there is always food available on this street. Everything the skunks and raccoons do is directly related to available food.
Because the wild animals are aware there is always free and available food this Ryal Side neighbor has a high population of raccoons and skunks. Neighbors, including my home, have paid at their own expense to have skunks and raccoons trapped and removed. But, the issue is that these wildlife animals keep coming back due to the constant food supply. Our house in particular has to supervise our dog when he goes in the backyard. Our dog was trained to use the fenced in backyard, but now we are forced to take him to the front of the house due to a family of skunks living under our shed. We are taking action with animal control to resolve the problem, but are looking for help in being proactive to avoid future issues.
From speaking to neighbors, they have seen a coyote on Ashton Street. Though no one has reported seeing the coyote feeding from the free food supply, it does not mean this could be a serious problem in the near future. Skunks and raccoons have clearly learned there is food outside of this house and return on a daily basis.
We are looking for support and action in getting Animal Control and the city of Beverly to take immediate action to stop the feeding. The goal will be for the wild animals to eventually disassociate Ashton street with a constant and available food source. It is dangerous and costly to leave out food to attract wild animals. The city of Beverly and Animal Control need to put an end to this before costs increase for the neighbors and more importantly before someone gets hurt.
Please note that I am aware this will not resolve the growing population of wildlife animals in the city of Beverly, but small actions are better than none.
