Police Issue Alert About Coyote Activity In Purchase

HARRISON, NY — Coyotes are mostly good neighbors, but public safety officials are reminding us that we need to do our part as well.

The Harrison Police Department issued an alert early Saturday afternoon for residents to be on alert for coyote activity, especially in the Purchase area. They also advised residents to not leave small pets outdoors unattended and to consult the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website's best practices for avoiding conflict with coyotes.

While coyote attacks are rare in Westchester County, a coyote that later tested positive for rabies attacked several people in Hastings and Yonkers in 2018.

This past May, the Pelham Manor Police Department issued a coyote advisory about coyote sightings in both the north and south ends of the village. The day after, Mount Vernon police warned residents that a small dog was attacked by what was reported to be a coyote. Later that month, there were several coyote sightings in and around Mamaroneck. One coyote was even spotting going for a stroll on the Mario Cuomo Bridge bike path.

There are a few common sense precautions suggested by the DEC to make sure man and beast are able to coexist peacefully.

Homeowners are warned to not approach the wild animals in any situation and to never feed a coyote. Potential food sources, such as bird feeders, pet food stored outdoors and refuse containers, should be secured so as not to attract unwelcome visitors.

Pet owners should not allow their furry friends to run free and parents are asked to closely supervise children outdoors.

In the unlikely event someone is approached by a coyote, they should not run away. Instead, it is recommended to be aggressive — this includes making loud noises, waving one's arms and throwing sticks and stones. Officials say these behaviors will almost always scare the animals away.

If you see a coyote that is acting "bold" or appears to not fear people, you can contact the DEC at 845-256-3098 or 845-256-3013.

SEE ALSO:

• Recent Coyote Sightings In Village Of Mamaroneck Rile Neighborhood
• Coyote Caught On Camera Using The New Mario Cuomo Bridge Bike Path
• Police Issue Alert After Dog Attacked By Coyote In Westchester
• Yonkers PD Tells Neighbors To Expect Increased Coyote Activity
• "Beware Of Coyotes!" Town of Bedford Issues Alert To Residents
• Pelham Manor Police Issue Coyote Advisory
• Rye Issues Coyote Warnings
• Coyote Shot In Westchester Tested Positive For Rabies
• Family Dog Killed By Coyote In Rye Neck