Safety Tips Regarding Wildlife For Teaneck Residents

Press release from the Township of Teaneck:

July 8, 2020

During the year, the Health Department fields a number of calls from concerned residents about wildlife sightings including: red fox, coyote, bears, deer, and other wildlife. If you see such wildlife and want to report a sighting, animal removal, etc., please call the Bergen County Animal Control (BCAC) at: (201) 229-4616 or visit their website for more information on our animal control services: BCAC. You can also contact the Teaneck Police Department at: (201) 837-2600. The NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife can also be contacted at: 908-735-8793.

As always, safety precautions should be taken when encountering wildlife.

These safety measures may include:

• Avoid and do NOT approach aggressive wildlife
• Keep a safe distance from non-aggressive wildlife
• Stay away from wild animals especially if they appear sluggish or overly aggressive
• Nocturnal animals that are seen during the day should also be avoided
• Never feed wildlife
• Protect your pets by vaccinating them against rabies
• Never feed pets/stray cats outdoors
• Never leave small children and small pets outside and unsupervised
• Cover garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent such from tipping over
• Remove compost piles, brush, weeds, or wood piles (this reduces the protective cover for wildlife)
• Remove sources of water
• Put away bird feeders at night
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around your property
• Should non-aggressive/aggressive wildlife approach you, try to make: loud noises, blast an air siren/air horn, or spray wildlife with a garden hose
• Report any bites or incidents involving another animal
• If you or your pet are bitten or scratched by a wild animal you should immediately clean the wound with soap and clean water and have it treated by a physician or veterinarian, respectively
• All such incidents must be reported to the Health Department at 201-837-1600 (x1500) or Teaneck Police Department at 201-837-2600

For safety reasons and prohibitive laws regarding the releasing of wild animals, the trapping of such on private property should be left to a licensed professional. Any sightings of sick or injured animals should be brought to our attention immediately.

For more information on wildlife in New Jersey, please go to the following websites:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/speciesinfo_fox.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/coyote_info.htm

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/deer.htm

Rabies FAQ: http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/faq/Rabies-New%20FAQ%20logo_Jan2018.pdf

For more information about our local rabies vaccination program, please see the following websites for:

Bergen Veterinary Hospital: http://www.bergenvet.com/

Bergen County Animal Shelter (residents must call for available clinic dates): 201-229-4600

This press release was produced by the Township of Teaneck. The views expressed here are the author’s own.