Dedham Animal Control

10/16/2026

Have you noticed any wild turkeys digging up your lawn?

If you have, then you’re not alone as we have received a few calls about this over the last few days.

October is peak season for this turkey behavior as turkeys are actively looking to fill their bellies with insects, grubs and nuts, ahead of the winter season when the ground will inevitably become less soft and as a result, food sources will become less available to them.

Unfortunately, this turkey behavior can take a toll on the appearance of your lawn, leaving an array of divots throughout your grass.

There are, however, a few things you can do to try to resolve this issue, if it bothers you.

The goal is to make your lawn appear less attractive and your property appear less safe [to them].

🦃 Motion-activated sprinklers

🦃 Hoses sprayed in their direction

🦃 Motion activated lights

🦃 Reflective tape, pinwheels, flags or other ‘scarecrow’ type lawn items. A resident with whom we spoke yesterday advised us that she put some Halloween decorations on her lawn – those can be really spooky!

🦃 Your dog – a dog’s visual and audible presence can be quite frightening for a turkey. Just please do not allow the dog to physically attack the turkey as the goal is to humanly remedy the issue without causing any harm.

That being said, please do not try to poison or trap and relocate the turkeys (or any wildlife for that matter) as such is unlawful.

For more information about preventing conflicts with turkeys, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/prevent-conflicts-with-turkeys

10/14/2026

Missing Suncheek Conure!

‘Rio’ was last seen around 4-4:30pm today at its home on Washington St., Westwood.

Anyone with information is asked to please call us at 781.751.9106 or Westwood Police Non-emergency at 781.320.1000.

Everything Local Dedham/Westwood and Beyond

10/07/2026

We are looking for the public's help in identifying the owner of a pair of dogs that were reportedly unattended near Westfield Street in Wilson Mountain Reservation, around noontime today (10/7/26).

The dogs are described as two 90+ lb Mastiffs; one dark gray or black; the other, brindle.

DCR Park Rangers swiftly responded to the area just after the report was made about the dogs; however, the Park Rangers were unable to locate the dogs.

We would like to connect with the owner to ascertain the rabies vaccine status of the dogs as a party who was hiking was reportedly bitten by one of them.

Verification of a dog's rabies vaccination status after a reported bite protects public health. If the owner of a dog suspect of having bitten someone cannot be found and/or a dog's vaccination status is unverified, the person bitten may need to undergo a series of rabies PEP. We'd like to prevent that need if possible.

Anyone with information is asked to please call us 781.751.9106.

10/06/2026

While out engaging with our community yesterday, a resident asked us what we know about Stink Bugs.

This inquiry was incredibly well-timed as we have, as recent as last weekend, taken our own interest in learning about the Stink Bugs we have been finding in our home!

Just as we commenced our own Stink Bug research (and which we shared with this inquiring resident), we found that our good friends at WCVB Channel 5 Boston are already on top of addressing these little creatures! Thanks, WCVB friends- you saved us some work!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GW3nRLTGR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We understand that not everyone likes (or tolerates) insects and bugs, but we always encourage humane treatment of all living classes, orders and species whenever possible.

Stink bugs are moving indoors this fall. Protect your home with these simple maintenance tips that help keep stink bugs outside where they belong ⬇️

10/02/2026

October is ‘Adopt A Shelter Dog Month’, which we proudly and tirelessly support.

Animal shelters, not just here in Massachusetts, but all across the country, have been experiencing an unprecedented volume of dog surrenders and abandonment over the last few years.

Not only does this volume impact dogs already inside shelters, but it also impacts dogs on wait lists to enter shelters as well as unexpected cases in need of urgent shelter space.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter animal shelters every year.

What can YOU do to support ‘Adopt A Shelter Dog Month’?

🐾 adopt;
🐾 foster;
🐾 volunteer;
🐾 spread awareness;
🐾 fundraise;
🐾 or simply share this post.

If you are considering adopting a dog, please contact your local animal shelter or refer to this list of approved Massachusetts shelters, where you will find countless dogs in need of loving homes. Most of these websites are updated daily.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/approved-shelter-and-rescue-organizations

Remember…every adopted dog frees up shelter space for another dog.

10/02/2026

This morning, we responded to a report of a snapping turtle appearing unwell at Condon Park.

Upon our arrival and examination on scene, the turtle appeared to have severe facial/head and upper shell injuries consistent with having been struck by a motor vehicle.

We chose not to share the turtle’s facial/head injury due to its graphic nature; however, in the image attached you can clearly see the fractured shell. A fractured shell very close to a turtle's head is in itself a critical medical emergency and when there is also a visible facial/head injury associated with it, we can’t rule out the potential for concurrent head trauma, facial fractures, serious eye injuries and potential damage to the nervous system.

With the help of the extra set of hands by Paul Mullen of the Dedham Parks and Recreation Department, we were able to place the (feisty) turtle into our ACO vehicle, after which we transported it to the New England Wildlife Center (NEWC) where it is currently being evaluated.

According to the NEWC technician, our turtle was the largest snapper he has seen this year!

Thanks for the teamwork, Paul! We truly appreciated it as this turtle was far from lightweight!

Being struck by cars while crossing roads is the leading cause of severe shell fractures to snapping turtles. Please exercise patience and caution when a turtle is crossing the road.

For information on turtles and how to help them stay safe on our roads, please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guide-to-helping-freshwater-turtles

Town of Dedham, MA

09/29/2026

Today, we responded to a call for a beaver in a resident's backyard very near to Dedham wetlands. Beavers are very active this time of year as they are preparing for the cold winter months. If your backyard offers any sources of food for winter storage (late season veggies, plants) and/or any dam creating materials (wood, thick brush), then you are providing some extremely important resources for a very resourceful animal!

Much like with all wildlife, please do not try to approach a beaver. While they are primarily timid and will run away if frightened, remember they are wild animals, will signal stress, fear or discomfort physically and vocally and will defend themselves if necessary. Do you know how sharp teeth must be to chew through wood??!!😲

For more on Beavers and how to coexist with them, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-beavers
Or follow our good friends at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue as they are often educating about beavers!

[Stock photo of a beaver; not today's beaver.]

09/28/2026

A big thank you to our community pet owners! 🐾

Despite the stormy weekend and all of the preempted advice and warnings we shared, we’re thrilled to report that we didn’t receive a single call about a missing or found pet!

Thank you to everyone who kept their pets safe and secure during the Nor'easter. Great job, Dedham! 🥰🐾

09/25/2026

Can you find the dog in this image?

It appears we may be getting a big, wet and windy storm over the weekend!

That means there is the potential for lots of things to negatively impact pets if they are not kept safe--downed power lines, falling limbs or trees, gusty debris, blown open gates and fence breaks or other property erosion breaches.

First of all, please be reminded that pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Ch. 140, Section 174E, 'it is illegal to tether a dog outside for more than 15 minutes during any active local, state, or federal weather advisory, warning, or watch, or when extreme weather conditions pose a health or safety risk.'

'If you see something, say something'.

🐾Please ensure your pets are safely indoors throughout the storm.

🐾Once the inclement weather hits and if you have a fenced yard, please accompany your dogs when they must go outside and make those excursions brief, remembering that heavy winds, especially combined with heavy rain, can not only cause things to blow and fall, but can also be pretty frightening for a dog.

🐾If you're walking your dog, again, keep it brief, keep your leash length short and observe both your surroundings and your dog's body language, for safety.

🐾If you have an outdoor or indoor-outdoor cat, please bring it inside and keep it inside today, so that it does not become in danger once the weather turns rough.

🐾Now is also a great time to ensure your pet is wearing a collar with ID and owner contact information-just in case. This practice facilitates lost pets being returned home.

Everyone, please stay safe. And again, 'if you see something, say something'.

09/25/2026

A huge shout to our newest friends at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control for their partnership in one of our investigations this week.

We often boast about how much we value our Massachusetts Animal Control partners, and when circumstances present and we need interstate ACO support, not only can it assist us with a case, but it can also forge a new unexpected relationship.

It was also interesting for us to learn while conversing with our new peers, that so many of the issues and obstacles we face as Animal Control Officers here in Massachusetts parallel those of our distanced colleagues.

Hopefully together, both intrastate and interstate, Animal Control Officers and other animal care service providers will continue to work together to find ways to improve pet legislation, address pets and housing challenges, increase pet adoption, reduce the pet overpopulation and strengthen the ethical and humane treatment of animals.

Thank you again, Palm Beach friends! And a special shout out to Public Safety Department Customer Relations Coordinator, Judy!

https://www.facebook.com/share/18SMwZoijq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The only open-admission animal shelter in Palm Beach County, serving the residents and pets.
A division of PBC Public Safety Department