Pubic Safety Officials Urge Caution After Cat Attacked By Coyote In Westchester

MOUNT VERNON, NY — The Croton-on-Hudson Police Department alerted residents Saturday evening that a cat was attacked by what was reported to be a coyote

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. More recently, in March the Westchester County Department of Health is notifying residents of a suspected rabid coyote in the Eastchester/Bronxville area.

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See Also: Coyote Attacks 2 People, 3 Dogs In Westchester, Suspected To Be Rabid

There are a few common sense precautions suggested by the Department of Environmental Conservation (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.