After Coyote Attacks, Residents Warned Of Another Sighting Saturday Night

NORTH JERSEY, NJ — After a 13-year-old girl and an adult were attacked by a coyote at the South Mountain Reservation on Friday afternoon, residents in the area were understandably on edge. READ MORE: Coyote Attack Reported At South Mountain Reservation

On Saturday, a park in Westfield was closed because of a sighting of an "aggressive coyote." READ MORE: Aggressive Coyote Sighting Closes Westfield Park

Then, Saturday night, the Maplewood police sent an alert to residents saying a coyote had been spotted in town. Minutes later, they revised their announcement and said it was a fox.

At 8:57 p.m. they wrote:

Possible coyote sighting in the area of Maplewood Ave / Jefferson Ave. Residents are encouraged to keep pets, small children inside. Police are actively monoriting the area.

At 9:59 they wrote:

Possible fox sighting in the area of Maplewood Ave / Jefferson Ave. Residents are encouraged to keep pets, small children inside. Police are actively monitoring the area.

Earlier Saturday, the Essex County executive sent out this message:

Statement by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.:

On Friday, an aggressive coyote bit a park visitor and a dog near the dog park in Essex County South Mountain Reservation.

Since the incident, we closed Crest Drive and the South Mountain Dog Park. In addition, our parks staff and Sheriff’s Officers have been monitoring the area with the assistance of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife during the last 24 hours.

Under the recommendation of NJ Fish and Wildlife and in an abundance of caution to protect the safety of the public, Crest Drive, the South Mountain Dog Park and all picnic and parking areas between South Orange Avenue and Glen Avenue, including Locust Grove, will be closed for the next five days. They will be reopened on Thursday, July 6.

Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena and the Recreation Complex by the Reservoir are not affected and will remain open.

Other Information

The township of Livingston sent out advice in early spring about what to do if you see a coyote. READ MORE: 'Never Leave Children Alone' Outside, Livingston Says

Earlier this year, foxes and coyotes were spotted in urban areas, including in Queens, N.Y., and Hoboken, N.J. READ MORE: Fox, Or Coyote?