Coyotes Sightings Concern Some New London Residents: Report

NEW LONDON, CT – Residents on the south end of New London are voicing concerns about coyotes in the city, NBC Connecticut reported. Some are concerned about the animals lurking in their yards and getting near their pets.

According to NBC Connecticut, one resident said she spotted a coyote in a neighbor's yard Tuesday while walking her dog. Police Chief Peter Reichard told NBC the last coyote complaint the department received was in February.

According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection website, coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people but the risk of one attacking a person is extremely low, however this risk can increase if they are intentionally fed and learn to associate people with food.

DEEP advises homeowners to eliminate sources of attraction to coyotes, including pet food left outdoors, table scraps on compost piles and decaying fruit below fruit trees. Coyotes will attack and kill pets, especially cats and small dogs, as well as livestock like sheep and chickens. Check the DEEP website for further information on coyotes.

Read the full NBC Connecticut story here.

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Photo credit: Shutterstock/Not photo of coyote spotted in New London