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Multiple Coyote Dens Found After NJ Coyote Attack
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 21, 2015
Modified Apr 21, 2015
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 21, 2015
Modified Apr 21, 2015
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On Sunday night, a man walking his dog was attacked by a coyote in Norwood, NJ. Now, police have discovered at least two more coyote dens in the town, near a school.
This is the second coyote attack in Bergen County this month: An April 8th attack in Saddle River injured a 77-year-old man and as well as his dog. The dog had to be put down (because its shots weren't up-to-date), and it turned out the coyote was rabid.
The Norwood resident, Stephen Sinisi, told WCBS 2 that he and his dog were chased, "I tried to get in the house fast because he wasn’t going away... As soon as I got up close enough, I knew it wasn’t a dog, I knew it was a coyote. I got the dog in the door and as soon as I got indoors, I didn’t see it, I felt something at my ankle." He received four rabies shots.
Yesterday, the Norwood police posted on Facebook, "Coyote Update: A very aggressive coyote just attacked the tires of one of our police cars on Villa Court. Please be careful. This is in the area of the NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL!!! (The NPD tried to capture the coyote, but it got away)." A resident added, "It’s just running down the street, didn’t care, going up to cars, biting tires." The police also offered other updates:
Coyote Update: Residents are to stay away from the Fox Hill area of Norwood. Many traps have been baited and placed trying to capture this coyote.
Posted by Norwood Police Department, NJ on Monday, April 20, 2015
It's believed that there are coyote cubs in the den, and the police are asking that children and dogs be kept away from these areas.
The Humane Society says, "Generally, coyotes are reclusive animals who avoid human contact. Coyotes who have adapted to urban and suburban environments, however, may realize there are few real threats and may approach people or feel safe visiting yards even when people are present. These coyotes have become habituated (lost their fear of humans), probably owing to the bounty of food that they have become accustomed to feeding upon in your neighborhood. These bold coyotes should not be tolerated or enticed but instead given the clear message that they should not be so brazen." And to do that, you should "haze" them:
Hazing
Hazing is a method that makes use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and deter them from backyards and play spaces.
Methods of hazing
Using a variety of different hazing tools is critical so that coyotes don’t get used to redundant or single stimulus devices, sounds, and actions.
Yelling and waving your arms while approaching the coyote
Noisemakers: Voice, whistles, air horns, bells, “shaker” cans full of marbles or pennies, pots, lid or pie pans banged together
Projectiles: sticks, small rocks, cans, tennis balls or rubber balls
Other: hoses, water guns with vinegar water, spray bottles with vinegar water, pepper spray or bear repellent
“Go away coyote!”
The simplest method of hazing a coyote involves being loud and large:
Stand tall, wave your arms, and yell at the coyote, approaching him if necessary, until he runs away as demonstrated in this coyote hazing video.
Coyotes have been getting comfy in the five boroughs lately too—from Long Island City bars to Chelsea churches.
Tagged
coyote
nj
rabies
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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