Coyotes Are Living In Roslyn Area, SPCA Says

Coyotes have been spotted in the Roslyn and Searingtown area, and the Nassau County SPCA wants residents to take certain precautions.

The coyotes have been confirmed to be living in the area for about three weeks, but may have been there longer, Nassau County SPCA Board President Gary Rogers told Patch.

Just like the many people across the country who have to share a community with coyotes, residents in this area should abide by the below rules:

• Don't leave food out at night. Bring in food and water at the end of the day. If you feed feral cats, watch them eat the food then take it away once they're done.
• Eliminate availability of bird seed. Birds and rodents at feeders can attract wildlife. If you see a coyote(s) near your bird feeder, clean up waste seed and spillage to remove the attractant.
• Don't let your cat out at night and don't take your dog for a walk on a long leash. Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise all outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night. Small dogs (even if on leash) and cats are especially vulnerable to coyotes.
• Teach your children to appreciate wild animals and coyotes from afar.
• If you see a coyote, don't run. It could trigger the animal's prey response. Also, call 911. Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets. If confronted, stand tall, and hold arms out to look large. If a coyote lingers for too long, then make loud noises, wave your arms, throw sticks and stones. Do not run away, running away after seeing a coyote is behaving like prey.
• Do not feed coyotes.
• Make garbage inaccessible to wildlife. Fence or enclose compost piles so they are not accessible.
• Conflicts between dogs and coyotes can happen any time of the year, but are more likely in the months of March and April. It is during this time that coyotes are setting up their denning areas for the soon-to-arrive pups.
• Fencing your yard may deter coyotes. The fence should be tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level, and taller than 4 feet.
• Remove brush and tall grass from around your home to reduce protective cover for coyotes. Coyotes are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide.

Images via Nassau SPCA