Video: Possible Fisher Cat Sighting In Milford Area

MILFORD, MA — Milford residents near the Medway border beware: there may be a fisher (also called a fisher cat) lurking in the area. A homeowner in Medway on Friday captured a possible fisher on a home surveillance camera, as seen on the Neighbors app.

Fishers are common in Massachusetts. The small carnivores are part of the weasel family, and can pose a threat to pets and domestic animals like cats, chickens, and sometimes small dogs. They can grow up to 16 pounds, and more typically prey on animals like rabbits, mice, squirrels, and carrion.

Fishers are very reclusive and will keep their distance from humans. But their numbers have recovered in Massachusetts due a few factors. According to Mass Audubon, certain types of traps used on fishers were outlawed in 1996, and they have learned to live in second-growth forests sprouting up on old farm land or land cleared for housing.

The best way to guard against fishers is to keep small pets inside at night, according to Mass Audubon.

Here's the full video of the possible Medway fisher sighting:

Ring, the owner of the Neighbors app, is a Patch advertiser. Patch received no compensation for this article.