After 2 Coyote Sightings In Wall, Police Urge Residents To Be Cautious

WALL, NJ — Wall Township police are urging residents to be aware after there were two confirmed coyote sightings on Saturday in the township.

Wall Sgt. Miles Shanklin said township police were alerted to the sightings, which occurred in the are of Orchard Crest Boulevard and Paynters Road, on Saturday morning. Both the state Division of Fish and Wildlife and the humane society were notified of the sightings, he said.

"A simple reminder: although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children and household pets, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards," Shanklin said in a news release. "To date, none of the coyotes spotted has exhibited aggressive behavior. However, the public is advised to exercise caution with coyotes, as with any wild animal," and notify police of any sightings or contact, he said.

An Ocean County man reported he was attacked by a coyote late last month while walking his dog, police in Manchester said.

Coyotes are now raising their pups and can be more territorial as they guard their mates, dens, pups and food sources.
Coyotes can be found in any open space, parks, neighborhoods and even commercial areas. As people and their pets spend more time outdoors, the possibility of a coyote encounter increases.

Coyotes may try to escort you out of an area to protect their pups or food sources when you encounter them on a trail. Humans may perceive this behavior as stalking, which is usually not the case.

They may also view your pet as prey.

To let coyotes be wild while keeping yourself and pets safe, please follow these rules:

• Never feed coyotes—it is illegal to feed coyotes in most places. Feeding endangers your family and neighbors as it lures coyotes into neighborhoods.
• Keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in completely enclosed runs, especially at night, and do not assume that a fence will keep a coyote out of your back yard.
• Accompany your leashed pet outside. Make sure you turn on lights if it is dark to check your back yard for unexpected wildlife.
• Keep dogs on short leashes while walking outside; the state Division of Fish and Wildlife recommends a leash no longer than 6 feet.
• Keep noisemakers such as whistles or horns on hand to scare away coyotes that may enter your yard.
• Don't run away or turn your back on a coyote.
• Do not allow a coyote to get in between you and your pet or child — keep children close to you.
• Yell, clap hands, blow a whistle and try to make yourself look larger if you have a close encounter with a coyote.
• Note where and when you have an encounter with a coyote. Coyotes often follow routines. Avoid this area in the future if the encounter was negative.

For more information about coyotes in New Jersey, check out the Division of Fish and Wildlife's coyote information page by clicking here.

Coyote, National Park Service photo