Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Steven Spielberg's Sister Is Being Harassed By A Coyote
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Mar 28, 2015
Modified Mar 26, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Mar 28, 2015
Modified Mar 26, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Just as a great white shark once stalked Martin Brody's idyllic Amity Island beach, so too has a fanged creature put its mark on Steven Spielberg's younger sister, who says a coyote's been hanging out in the backyard of her Riverdale home.
58-year-old Nancy Spielberg told reporters that she found a coyote prowling her yard Thursday morning, where he seemed to be looking to make brunch out of some birdies. "He stood watching us in the kitchen for about 40 minutes and he would snap at birds," Spielberg told CBS 2. "He was trying to catch birds as they flew by to eat."
Apparently, Spielberg was most concerned that the coyote would try to snack on her poodle, Rambo. "This guy seemed a little more menacing, he lurked in the backyard,” she said. "I knew he was hungry and, you know, I got a little guy." And Spielberg isn't the only one in her neighborhood who's been paid a visit by IRL Wile E.—apparently, Riverdale residents have been dealing with them for years. "I saw one waking down Independence Avenue. I was driving my truck and it came down the middle of the road and it didn’t get out of my way," one neighbor told CBS 2. "I had to get out of its way."
Coyotes aren't complete strangers to the city; back in 2010, Parks Deputy Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey told us the animals have "a 60% chance of survival in urban areas due to the increased availability of food and less risk to them from hunting," and officials caught two cute little guys in Manhattan in January of this year alone. And though it's unwise to pet a coyote—the NY State DEC says that though they usually avoid interacting with humans, "[a] coyote that does not flee from people should be considered dangerous"—they're apparently quite useful when it comes to getting rid of rats.
Tagged
coyotes
nancy spielberg
riverdale
steven spielberg
the bronx
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .