Letter To The Editor – What’s Happening!

To the Editor:
Dory Cox in her Letter to the Editor [July 30 issue] warned us of possible overcharges on phone bills. Now, another local warning. Lately, domestic cats have been missing and presumed dead by more and more residents in the area. We have just experienced the heartbreak of losing our 2-year old gray and white male feline, as have many of our neighbors like Julie, who has lost her Maine Coon beauty just a month or so ago, Caleb, whose companion Suki never returned home, Liza, who has recently lost two cats that I know of, and even our postmistress, who has lost 5 cats in the last two years…and on and on and on! The sadness of these losses spreads a dark gray shroud over this beautiful valley that we all love and enjoy.
Google(ing) indicates that there are recorded cases of Fisher (Cats) being released into  northeastern forests to reduce the porcupine population for some unknown reason. The Fishers snag the porcupines, eat away their faces and then devour their intestines while they still live. When I contacted NYSDEC about this as it might relate to our neck of the woods, the head of Rensselaer County Forests denied that this has ever been a practice of theirs. Fishers are vicious and can maim or kill a dog, besides having the ability to climb trees and to overtake a feline with ease. It now may become necessary for all local pet owners to keep cats, even dogs, indoors each night to prevent excursions into surrounding woodlands and pastures. A small price to pay to ensure the safety and well being of our beloved, four-legged, family members.
Bob Rubin
Cherry Plain