Coyote Caution Returns To North Shore After Latest Attacks

BEVERLY, MA — Coyote concerns are once again on the rise after a man and pet dog were attacked in separate incidents in Massachusetts on Thursday.

These encounters — which resulted in the Cohasset dog being killed — come on the heels of two coyote bites in the Vinnin Square area of Swampscott this spring, and an attack in Dedham.

Beverly Animal Control Officer Matthew Lipinski said in a message to the community on Friday that coyote sightings will likely be on the rise with the cooler fall season and issued more tips on how to coexist with the wild canines.

"Coyotes will begin seasonal movements and will become more active," Lipinski said. "As a result, this movement will bring them closer to more densely populated areas in search of food and potentially a place to live."

He said while there have be no reports of "coyote conflict" in Beverly, residents should supervise pets at all times and keep them on leashes whenever possible — even when they are in their own lawns.

"Coyotes do not target our pets," Lipinski said, "however their natural behavior dictates that they see small pets as potential prey and larger pets as potential competition."

He advised to keep all cats indoors, put a light on before letting out dogs and scan the yard for wildlife, keep potential food sources for coyotes — garbage, bird feed — secure and remove downed trees and other large brush that coyotes could use as shelter from your property.

"Please remember that coyotes are active at all hours of the day, not just dawn and dusk, so it is not abnormal to see them walking in our neighborhoods in the middle of the day," he said. "Coyotes have always been our neighbors and they are here to stay. We, humans, encroached upon their territory many years ago and continue to do so to this day, continuously shrinking their territories and forcing them into more densely populated areas.

"It is important that we learn to co-exist with them, and a big way we can do that is to remain vigilant with our pets and properties to avoid inviting conflict into our homes and neighborhoods."

More information on "coexisting with coyotes" can be found here.

Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)