One Dangerous Coyote At Large, Another Killed In Southern Westchester

The Yonkers Police Department issued an alert late on Thursday evening about the coyote, which remains at large, as members of the Emergency Service Unit work with members of the Westchester Department of Public Safety in an attempt to locate it.

This week, the first coyote - which has since been killed - was on the prowl in both Greenburgh and Yonkers, attacking three people.

Greenburgh Police received their first report of the initial coyote shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, with the second coming from a Kent Avenue resident shortly after 7 p.m., stating that he had been attacked and treated for a leg injury. Police said that calls continued to come in, with reports of a small dog that was attacked and killed. On Thursday, a coyote lunged at the woman riding on the Westchester County Bike Trail near Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers shortly before 3 p.m. Police have proceeded to employ the use of drones in search of the animals.

The Dobbs Ferry Police Department is also working with the Hastings Police Department to track the wild coyote, which may be rabid. Officials are urging residents to keep pets and children inside, and to monitor their activities if they go outside. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is also sending officers to the area to help track and capture the coyote.

Police have cautioned that coyotes should never be fed, and if a coyote is spotted, one should be aggressive with their behavior, making loud noises, waving arms and throwing sticks and stones to seem like a greater predator.

Other tips include:

• Do not feed coyotes and discourage others from doing so.
• Unintentional food sources attract coyotes and other wildlife and increase risks to people and pets. To reduce risks, do not feed pets outside.
• Make any garbage inaccessible to coyotes and other animals.
• Eliminate availability of bird seed. Concentrations of birds and rodents that come to feeders can attract coyotes. If you see a coyote near your birdfeeder, clean up waste seed and spillage to remove the attractant.
• Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets.
• Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance.
• If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior - stand tall and hold arms out to look large. If a coyote lingers for too long, then make loud noises, wave your arms, throw sticks and stones.
• Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise all outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night.
• Regulated hunting and trapping increases the "fear" coyotes have towards people.
• Fencing your yard may deter coyotes. The fence should be tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level, and taller than 4 feet.
• Remove brush and tall grass from around your property to reduce protective cover for coyotes. Coyotes are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide. See "Tips to Eliminate Wildlife Conflicts" for more information.
• Contact your local police department and NYSDEC regional office for assistance if you notice that coyotes are exhibiting "bold" behaviors and have little or no fear of people.
• Ask your neighbors to follow these same steps.

Officials said that because coyotes who attack may be rabid, any resident who has sighted a coyote should contact the police department by calling (914) 478-2344.

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