First they took Manhattan, then they crossed into the Bronx, and now the skunks have made their way into Queens. Residents say that skunk sightings have become more and more common in recent months. "I do not want to go through this ever again. I am absolutely scared to death," said victim Anne Burke, whose dog Jesse was sprayed by the beast with one stripe. more ›

Raccoons, coyotes, opossum... all nothing compared to nature's walking stink bomb: the skunk. And word is their population in the city is on the rise. City Room reports that residents of northern Manhattan and the Bronx are fed up with their unwelcome guests, which they believe have multiplied over time—animal control workers have reported an increase in sightings, which they blame on spring mating season. Since last year—when trying to relocate the skunks proved futile—residents of Washington Heights and Riverside Park say the skunks have now returned and "solidified their grasp" on the neighborhoods. One resident told the site that if you hear rustling in the bushes, it's probably a skunk (not good news for dog walkers!). Let's just hope they don't get The Rabies. more ›

Ever since construction work began in a nearby park, skunks have brought a noxious odor and a pervasive sense of fear to a Bronx public housing complex. It's gotten so bad that residents of the Throggs Neck Houses are horrified to leave their apartments after dark. "If it was just rats and roaches, I could take care of it myself," said Maxine Breeden, 44. "But these are wild animals. Lots of 'em." more ›

Travel up to the northernmost neighborhoods of Manhattan these days and you might catch a whiff of more than just gentrification in the air—now skunks have invaded Inwood and Washington Heights as well! The area where the only skunk smell formerly found was from the weed sold along Dyckman Street is now crawling with the unwanted pests. The Parks Department's chief naturalist says, “It really seems like the population has gone from zero to many. I’m not sure why." more ›