Coyote Sightings In Marple Area Lead To Warning From Police

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Police in Marple Township are alerting the public to recent coyote sightings in the area and also offered tips on how residents can keep themselves and pets safe.

Police issued the alert Friday after getting reports of confirmed coyote sightings.

The Delaware County Daily Times reported a woman saw a coyote take her daughter's dog away in its mouth at about 1:15 p.m. Thursday on the 200 block of Woodside Lane.

The Marple Township Administration, Police Department, Health Inspector, and Animal Control are working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to trap the animal.

According to police, the coyote has adapted to a wide variety of habitats in Pennsylvania. The animals can be found in the heavily forested areas, and sightings of them in adjacent residential areas are becoming more common.

Typically, they are more active in the spring when caring for their young and in search of food and water.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission provided the following safety tips to help residents in communities where coyotes frequent:

• Small pets and children should never be left unattended, and dogs should always be walked on a leash.
• Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises, if this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
• Put Garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
• Bring pets in at night.
• Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.

Report any coyote sightings immediately by dialing 911.