Johnston Police Department Alerts Residents of Increased Coyote Sightings

Recent sightings of coyotes in the Johnston community have the Johnston Police Department alerting residents.

The department sent an e-alert Friday morning on the increased number of reported coyote sightings in the past few weeks.

While the sightings may seem unusual, the animals aren't that uncommon in the area, the department release said.

The Johnston Police Department has consulted with the Department of Natural Resources, who said coyotes do not typically present a threat to people, but they urge residents to avoid trying to approach or feed them.

Coyotes can present a threat to small domesticated animals such as dogs or cats. Residents should exercise proper precautions to ensure their pets remain safe.

The department provided several resources for additional information on urban coyote populations:

• Why Is There a Coyote in My Yard? Food Lures and Other Answers
• Learning to Live with Urban Coyotes
• Eastern Coyotes
• Living with Wildlife