Dog Walker Followed By Coyote In Waveny Park: New Canaan Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — A sign has been posted in an area of Waveny Park warning visitors of coyotes after a person walking a dog was followed by one Wednesday morning, according to police.

Police Lt. Marc DeFelice said in an email the dog walker was followed by a coyote around 7:15 a.m. in the Jeniam Meadow area of the park.

In response, town officials have posted a sign that reads "attention, coyote activity, avoid this area" to advise walkers to avoid a portion of the meadow, DeFelice said

"This time of year, coyote will display an 'escort behavior' when there is a den nearby," DeFelice said. "They are most alert when a domestic dog enters the area."

Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm said coyote sightings are common in the spring months.

"This is sort of an annual occurrence with coyotes, not necessarily always at Waveny," Halm said to Patch, "because we know they're in the den and they're gonna be a little more protective of their territory. We might see them more often this time of year."

Coyote sightings most often occur around dawn or dusk, however Halm emphasized they are not nocturnal animals and are a possibility anywhere, day or night.

Due to this, both she and DeFelice encouraged residents to carry hazing tools with them, whether they are walking or hiking on wooded trails in town or even spending time in their own yard.

"Having an air horn, whistle, having a walking stick while you're in the woods," Halm said, "anything that's going to make you large and loud if you should encounter any of our predators."

According to Halm, Wednesday's coyote sighting marks the fourth reported in New Canaan since March 6, however the animal ranks third among predators most reported in town.

"Funny enough, since I've been mapping all predator sightings, coyote being the most prevalent in my eight years [as a New Canaan animal control officer], bobcats and bears have taken over," Halm said. "I get less reports of coyotes than I do bobcats and bears."

Halm said bobcat sightings at Waveny have become consistent, and bear sightings have become very common in the northern areas of New Canaan as they migrate through town.

"That's going to become a regular event that these bears are now down here, and they're going to stay here," Halm said. "We need to be prepared and understand their behavior, as well as coyote and bobcat."