New Castle Creates 2 Coyote Committees

From the town of New Castle

To increase community awareness, minimize the risk of coyote attacks on pets and otherwise reduce the risks associated with encounters with coyotes, the Town has decided to establish two different committees to study the problem: Coyote Management Task Force and the Coyote Awareness and Safety Advisory Committee.

Both committees recognize that coyote sightings have noticeably increased in the Town of New Castle over the years. Town residents have reported having their dogs attacked and killed by coyotes. The town recognizes the need to educate residents about the presence of coyotes and seek input from the community as to coyote sightings and interactions.

The goals and work of the Coyote Management Task Force shall include providing information to residents about coyote hazing (i.e., teaching residents how to effectively haze coyotes in different situations such as at home, in a public park, etc.); identifying measures that can be taken by Town staff in our DPW and Recreation and Parks Departments; informing residents on best practices for storing garbage, using bird feeders, storing food, cleaning-up picnic areas and ball fields; exploring and developing methods and criteria for tracking coyotes and notifying residents about coyote activity in their immediate neighborhoods; and providing information as to when trapping may be necessary.

The goals and work of the Coyote Awareness and Safety Advisory Committee shall include providing science-based information and coyote management plans and strategies regarding best practices on all levels for dealing with coyotes, including but not limited to providing education and information to residents and to the Town Board regarding hazing, prevention strategies, tracking, conflict deterrents and behavior modification, what to do when sightings occur, coyote management and trapping when necessary.

New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein stated “the Coyote Management Task Force and the Coyote Awareness and Safety Advisory Committee will work in a collaborative fashion to provide residents and the Town Board with a full range of information and perspectives on dealing with the presence of coyotes in our community.”

Bottom line, he said, “the Coyote Management Task Force is amore about protecting our pets. The Coyote Awareness and Safety Advisory Committee is more about conservation.”