Coyote Sightings on the Rise in Westport; Police Issue Warning

WESTPORT, CT — Coyote sightings are on the rise in Westport, warn local police, and the department is issuing advice on how to deal with the animals.

"The Town of Westport has experienced several incidents involving coyotes recently," police wrote in a statement. "The coyote’s ability to survive and take advantage of food sources found in and around man-made habitats has resulted in an increase in coyote related conflicts. We would like to remind those with children and small pets to be aware of the dangers associated with a coyote encounter."

The Westport Police Department offers the following pointers to keep yourself and your pets safe:

• Never feed coyotes—it is illegal to feed coyotes in most places. Feeding endangers your family and neighbors as it lures coyotes into neighborhoods.
• Keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in completely enclosed runs, especially at night, and do not assume that a fence will keep a coyote out of your back yard.
• Accompany your leashed pet outside. Make sure you turn on lights if it is dark to check your back yard for unexpected wildlife.
• Keep dogs on short leashes while walking outside; the Division of Wildlife recommends a leash no longer than 6 feet.
• Leave noisemakers on hand to scare away coyotes that may enter your yard, such as whistles and horns.
• Don't run away or turn your back on a coyote.
• Do not allow a coyote to get in between you and your pet or child—keep children close to you.
• Yell, clap hands, blow a whistle and try to make yourself look larger if you have a close encounter with a coyote.

"Habituated coyotes are sometimes a neighborhood issue," the department continues. "Work with your neighbors to make sure attractants such as fallen fruit, pet food left outside, dirty barbecue grills, and unsecured trash or compost are removed so that negative coyote interactions are minimized. Be sure no one is intentionally feeding coyotes."

Contact the police department - 911 - "if there is an immediate danger associated with a coyote." To report coyote sightings, contact the Westport Animal Control Office at 203-341-6011.

For more information, visit the state Department of Environmental Protection website.

Patch file photo

(Editor's Note: Patch is re-posting this story in case you missed it the first time around.)