Rivertowns Officials: Despite Rye Attacks, No Heightened Coyote Alert

After two young children were attacked by coyotes in Rye this week, Rivertowns residents can't help but wonder, "Are our kids next?"

However, despite the jarring news reported from Eastern Westchester, local police chiefs say there is no reason to change our practices here, only be more mindful of what to do in the case of a sighting or attack and possibly think twice about leaving children and small dogs unattended outside.  

"Coyotes tend to be skittish, frightened of humans," Irvington Police Chief Michael Cerone said today. "There have been a few sightings called into hedquarters in the past few weeks, but none have been confirmed."

Hastings Police had a similar take on the situation: "People should be mindful, but not nervous," Chief David Bloomer said.

The take-away message from Rye's attacks, according to officials here, is that the suburbs are not New York City and wild animals do live here, always creating the potential for an attack. 

"We have to remember that the animals were here long before we were," Cerone said. "This is their natural habitat; we invaded them."

Cerone said he saw no reason to scare locals unnecessarily, and would not be concerned unless attacks started moving west, in our direction.  

In his quarterly report due to be released soon, Hastings mayor Peter Swiderski makes basic recommendations with regard to animal safety.  "We advise people to keep little dogs and cats inside," Swiderski said. "Basically all we can do is caution people. We don't have an animal control team in Hastings and we are not planning to remove the coyote population."

Hastings resident Liz Hausman said she saw a coyote in her yard recently and has since abstained from letting her miniature poodle romp without a leash.

"People basically have to exert some common sense," Chief Bloomer said. "These are probably things they should have done even before."