Full Text:

When Traffic Is Tragic For Animals

(with cuts)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

These days, Newtown's roads seem more like obstacle courses as motorists are

constantly swerving to avoid dead animals on the road.

It's the time of year when drivers, despite their best efforts at braking and

swerving, do their part to reduce the overpopulation of some small, wild

animals. As wildlife biologist Peter Good points out, squirrels and other

similarly-sized creatures often rush out into roadways in search of food. Only

the lucky few make it across unscathed.

The unlucky ones become the responsibility of the town and state highway

crews, who are called on to scrape up whatever is left.

"We try to get out there as quickly as we can," said Public Works Director

Fred Hurley.

The highway department received a call Tuesday morning from a resident asking

that a dead skunk be removed from the middle of Palestine Road. A few hours

later, a crew from the garage went out to dispose of the carcass.

"We've only got a certain number of guys who will pick road kill up,"

explained Joe Tani, highway department director.

The highway crew is sent out at least once a week to pick up the larger

animals, especially deer, raccoon and possum.

"The biggest thing we ever picked up was a horse," said Mr Tani. It had been

hit by a car in front of the Sandy Hook firehouse and we had to pick it up

with a payloader."

The subject of road kill seems to give Mr Hurley the willies, especially when

he recalls the dead pig his crew had to deal with a few years back. The thing

probably weighed 200 pounds and had spent several days roasting in the sun.

The dead animal had to be covered with lime before anyone would go near it.

Down at Ellie's Deli at 286 South Main Street, they take lighthearted approach

to the grim subject of road kill. If you stop by for a hamburger and fries,

Ellie Birdsell or Missy Birdsell will gladly cook it up for you. But they'll

hand you their infamous "Road Kill" menu if your appetite runs toward

tasteless humor. This menu includes everything from a Smidgen of Pigeon and

Narrow Sparrow for bird lovers to the more domestic German Shepherd Pie and

Flat Cat.