Coyote Sightings On The Rise In Bergen County

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A coyote was was spotted three times in one local town Sunday and Monday, police said.

The sightings occurred in Haworth. Two of them occurred Sunday, including one on Haworth Avenue. The most recent sighting was today at 12:07 p.m. on Park Street near the Bergen County Center for Child Development, said Sgt. Luca Ragone.

Haworth police reminded people in a Facebook post Sunday about steps they could take to make sure they are safe around coyotes:

• Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food, but will take advantage of eating whatever food is available. Please make sure all garbage is secured on properties.
• Clear brush and weeds from around the house to reduce protective cover for both coyotes and prey animals like rodents and rabbits.
• Never leave children or small domestic animals unsupervised, even in familiar surroundings such as backyards.
• Coyotes are fairly skittish animals and should not be tempted to advance toward humans, if they do contact police immediately.
• Never try to feed or advance towards coyotes, they are wild animals, not pets and may become aggressive if they feel they are being stalked or in danger.

There have been incidents of aggressive coyotes in Bergen County in recent years.

Five coyotes circled a dog walker and a dog in Saddle River last year. The five coyotes came within six feet of the walker and the dog, but did not attack. A passing motorist honked their horn, got out and disrupted the confrontation.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife recommends dog walkers, joggers and others keep a compressed air horn with them or a walking stick with them to prevent a similar incident.

Two such animals were seen in Saddle River County Park in May 2016.

A coyote that attacked and bit a man walking his dog in Norwood in 2015 tested positive for rabies. That animal was later found and euthanized. A female coyote was found near a Norwood school and a den was not far away.

Coyotes were also spotted in Paramus, Ridgewood, Midland Park, and Harrington Park in 2015.

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