Earlier this month a resident of Sutton Manor in New Rochelle observed a coyote swimming from Five Islands Park to Sutton Manor. There have been additional coyote sightings over the past week — usually in the morning. There have been Coyote sightings on Decatur Road and Farragut Circle.
These sightings come in the wake of numerous coyote sightings in Manhattan, Queens and, more recently, Westchester County. In January, a woman in Greenburg was viciously attacked by a coyote. Residents are warned to take care with small pets and children.
A few rules to remember:
- Do not feed coyotes.
- Keep pets on a short leash.
- Yell or throw rocks to scare it away.
- Don’t leave pet food and garbage outdoors.
- Don’t leave pets alone outside.
Other suggestions:
- Do not put out bird feed. The birdseed will attract rabbits, squirrels, mice and other small animals that coyotes like to prey on.
- To do not let fruit on outdoor trees remain on the ground; grapes, berries, avocados and other soft fruits can attract coyotes.
- Surrounding your property with a tall fence. It’s rare for a coyote to climb anything higher than a six-foot fence. You can also place large rocks or cement blocks outside of your fence to prevent animals from digging into your yard.
- Spaying or neutering your pet, as unfixed pets can attract coyotes during mating season.
- Placing battery-operated flashing lights, tape-recorded human noises, scattered moth balls and ammonia-soaked rags at key points on your property to help deter coyotes.
If you encounter a coyote, steer clear and call Westchester Animal Control by contacting the New Rochelle Police Department at 914-632-2300.