A fisher cat, whose brazen broad daylight raid on Kevin Dougherty’s flock of chickens, reduced their number by eight in a very short time, has Dougherty pretty unhappy. Dougherty, who witnessed the carnage at his home on Bethel Mountain Road just a short way out of Rochester village, notes that his remaining chickens are now confined to the chicken coop.

His household pets have also had their freedom curtailed since Dougherty has closed off the cat/dog door so they can no longer exit the house at will. Fisher cats, who are actually a member of the weasel family, are particularly fond of catching housecats.

"I got a close look at the fisher the other day, so there’s no doubt about what it is," Dougherty said. "I’d say it weighs about 30 pounds and it’s extremely fast. These animals have a range of 10 square miles or more, and they’re solitary."

A curious man, Dougherty is wondering where else in the area the fisher might have been sighted. If anyone has seen it lately, he’d like to hear about it. He may be contacted by phone at 767-4430 or by e-mail at kevind@sover.net.

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