East Brunswick: Coyote Seen Near Heavenly Farms Park

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A coyote was spotted Monday afternoon near Heavenly Farms Park in East Brunswick, police in the Township announced.

East Brunswick police did not yet release any further details, only to say the coyote was seen near the park and residents are urged to be mindful at all times. And they should not leave their pets unattended, police said.

Heavenly Farms is a very popular park in East Brunswick and has soccer and baseball fields, and a very large dog run.

New Jersey is still reeling after a mother of two was attacked by a coyote last week in a park in Fairfield in North Jersey. In the winter 2016, a coyote was spotted running through the streets of Sea Bright and into Sandy Hook national park, where it disappeared in the dunes. About five years ago, in nearby Middletown, coyotes attacked and killed several small dogs in their backyards of homes.

The Fairfield coyote attack happened last Thursday evening at the Fairfield Recreation Complex: The woman, Tatiana, 37, said she was running in the park and pushing her 4-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter in a double stroller.

Suddenly, a woman screamed that a coyote was directly behind her and when Tatiana turned around to see for herself, the coyote lunged at her, police said. The mom fell to the ground and the stroller tipped over. The coyote then bit the woman on the back of her leg, police said.

The coyote then attempted to go after the toddler boy, biting him on his right leg, police said.

At that time, other individuals began to run towards the woman just as she was able to get up and pick up the stroller.

She attempted to flee but the coyote again attempted to lunge at her again. The coyote then ran into the adjacent wooded area, police said.

The attack happened between the tennis courts and the Fairfield Community Pool, which is adjacent to a wooded area, police said. Hear her account of what happened:

East Brunswick police released the following rules for coyotes:

1. Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.

2. Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.

3. Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.

4. Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates. Bring pets in at night.

5. Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.

6. Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.

7. Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.

8. Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.

9.Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.

10. Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings - this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles.

11. If coyotes are present, make sure they know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.

Related: Mom Recalls NJ Coyote Attack On Her, Child In Stroller (June 15, 2019)