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“I place a high value on the work that our farmers do, and I appreciate the efforts taken in Connecticut to support our agricultural producers,” said Dr. Masur. “This is an opportunity for me to use my private practice experience to safeguard animal health statewide during this transitional time period.”
HARTFORD, Conn. — Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt today announced that Dr. Erin Masur, DVM, has joined the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) as interim State Veterinarian within the Bureau of Regulatory Services. Dr. Masur succeeds Dr. Jane Lewis, DVM, DACVPM who was appointed in 2021 and has departed for a position with United States Department of Agriculture.
“We wish Dr. Lewis all the best in her next chapter and appreciate Dr. Masur stepping into this critical role as it relates to the health of animal agriculture throughout the state and the public at large,” said Commissioner Hurlburt. “Providing continuity of services is important to the agency, especially in a time of emerging animal health issues and upcoming fair season, and we are confident that Dr. Masur’s experience and skill will deliver for our constituents.”
The State Veterinarian directs the overall responsibility of the Animal Health Division, performing administrative, supervisory, financial, technical, and professional duties relative to functions of the agency. They educate the public on prevention, control, and eradication of contagious and infectious disease and the regulation of livestock programs within the state. In addition, the State Veterinarian leads and supervises a team of inspectors and other administrative support staff. Dr. Masur will fulfill these duties while CT DoAg conducts their hiring search to appoint the next State Veterinarian.
“I place a high value on the work that our farmers do, and I appreciate the efforts taken in Connecticut to support our agricultural producers,” said Dr. Masur. “This is an opportunity for me to use my private practice experience to safeguard animal health statewide during this transitional time period.”
Dr. Masur has spent her career focused on small ruminants, pseudo ruminants, large ruminants, and poultry. Currently, she is the owner of a Bantam-based livestock practice that offers traditional ambulatory medicine and surgery for food-producing species. The practice was founded with a greater mission to use community and collaboration to provide educational opportunities to producers and farmers, fellow veterinary practices, ag societies, and first responders. She also acts as the Professor of Large Animal Clinical Nursing for CT State Colleges and Universities. Dr. Masur has used her career to prioritize public health and optimize the health and wellness of the animals of agriculture since graduating Ross University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state’s citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state’s economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.
–Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Amid rising bear encounters in the state, an adult black bear and its cub were found trapped inside a car outside a home in Winsted, Connecticut, on July 15, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
DEEP environmental conservation officers were called by the vehicle owner in the northwestern town. Upon arrival, officers opened the car door, releasing the two bears. The bears reportedly ran off with a third bear that had been running around in distress while the two were trapped.
State officials believe that the bears opened the car door themselves to enter the vehicle.
AP Photo
Newsweek reached out to DEEP’s communications team for comment via email on Friday.
The car’s interior was completely torn apart from the bears thrashing. The bears appeared to blare the horn and play the radio.
The northwestern part of the state has the highest concentration of black bears, according to DEEP. Last year, bears were found in all but three cities and towns across the state, with sightings in 165 of 169 municipalities. This past week, there have been three publicly reported bear-related incidents.
The black bear population is growing in the state, and based on data published in DEEP’s 2024 State of the Bears, there are an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 bears in the state, adding that “the population has a high potential for growth,” given their habitat and food sources.
In June 2023, a state law passed that allows individuals to seek permits to kill a bear if it is damaging livestock and agriculture, as well as establishing the right to use deadly force in defense of an attack.
A year after the law was passed, this June, a Connecticut resident shot and killed a 450-pound adult male black bear, claiming it was in self-defense.
This past week, three bear-related incidents were publicly reported, including a bear being killed after being hit by cars and another euthanized after reportedly biting a woman.
DEEP requests residents to report bear sightings on its website. So far this year, there have been 7,674 reported bear sightings, with 2,255 “bear conflicts” in the state, according to the state’s wildlife sighting public viewer.
In February 2023, DEEP launched it’s “Be Bear Aware” public campaign to raise awareness and lower the total human-bear conflicts in the state through education programs and conflict management advice.
In an email to CT Insider regarding the July 15 incident, DEEP Senior Advisor Ethan H. Van Ness said: “DEEP would like to remind residents to remain bear aware. Always lock your car doors, particularly if you live in areas with regular bear activity.”
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
CONNECTICUT — Since 1940, the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (formerly the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance) has presented Gold Keys to deserving individuals who had made a considerable impact on the state’s sports landscape. In addition to the Gold Keys, other awards are meted out in various categories, and the CSMA has named the final nine recipients who will be honored at the 82nd annual dinner this fall.
Receiving accolades at the dinner will be:
Gold Key Award recipients for 2024, announced in the spring, are former Daniel Hand High School and Yale University football coach Larry Ciotti, longtime Windham High School wrestling and football coach Brian Crudden, retired Pomperaug High School field hockey coach Linda Dirga, award-winning sportscaster George Grande and Wesleyan University women’s basketball coach Kate Mullen.
Proceeds support the Bo Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship, a $3,000 annual award named in memory of the noted high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past CSMA president, who passed away in 2003 at age 49.
SOUTHBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut State Police have launched a new program designed to help victims of any kind of crime walk into a business and be in a secure location while police are called.
All someone has to do is walk into a business and let the owner know that they are in distress, and the owner will call 911.
Safe Place program originated in Seattle and has now been brought to Connecticut. Trooper Samantha Stella it’s in its beginning stages.
Several businesses in Southbury and one in East Haddam have signed up. Programs at various technical schools are also trying to help bullying.
Tammy Dunn, the owner of the Cottage At Main, said she was eager to sign up for the program right away. She believes it’s a unique idea for community businesses to be there to help other people in their time of need.
Connecticut State Police use Aviation Unit to curb speeding on Route 8
Stella said while the program initially was launched to focus on hate crimes, it now encompasses any kind of crime. State police want to be very clear that this is not some kind of vigilante group, and they should leave the police work to police officers.
Connecticut State Police hope to have various kinds of businesses on board, including places like grocery stores, banks, retail shops, gyms and veterinary clinics.
If a Connecticut business is interested in being part of this, they can reach out to the Hate Crimes Unit with Connecticut State Police for more information.
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