Swampscott Residents Urged To Coyote-Proof Their Trash

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — As a growing coyote population continues to be a concern within Swampscott neighborhoods, town health officials are urging residents to protect their trash against the carousing canines.

Residents are reminded that covered trash containers should not be placed outside for curbside pickup earlier than 7 p.m. the day before the scheduled pickup, and items in blue overthrow bags are not allowed out curbside prior to 5 a.m. on the morning of trash pickup.

Town officials said the reason for this is "to discourage the attraction of nocturnal animals that may tear into bags and cause a nuisance."

Health officials also said residents in neighborhoods where coyotes have gotten into trash recently should consider a bungee cord to secure lids on the barrels in the event that an animal or wind knocks the containers over.

The trash protocols are also advised for those who live near the ocean and can have their containers blow over in high winds off the water, which leads to beach littering.

Residents are reminded that they are responsible for placing all recycling in a container while placing it out for collection. Residents should consider purchasing a covered recycling container, while a free "RECYCLE" sticker is available at town hall, which can be placed on a regular trash container up to 65 gallons to make it a recycling bin.

(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.)