Police Warn: Stay Away from Coyotes

Following a number of coyote sightings in the Hudson Valley police are offering safety tips and reminding everyone to “stay away.”

After of number of coyote sightings in Rockland County recently, Clarkstown Police posted on their Facebook coyote safety tips adding to “please stay away from them as they are wild animals.”

To ensure the safety of yourself, children, and pets police posted the following tips:
•Never feed coyotes: It is illegal to feed coyotes in most places. Feeding endangers your family and neighbors as it lures coyotes into neighborhoods.

• Keep Children Close.

•Keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in completely enclosed runs: This is especially important at night. Do not assume that a fence will keep a coyote out of your back yard.

•Accompany your leashed pet outside: Make sure you turn on lights if it is dark to check your back yard for unexpected wildlife.

•Keep dogs on short leashes while walking outside: The Clarkstown Police Department recommends a leash no longer than 6 feet.

•Keep noisemakers on hand: Noisemakers such as whistles or horns should scare away coyotes.

•Do not run away or turn your back on a coyote.

•Do not allow a coyote to get in between you and your pet or child.

•Yell, clap hands, blow a whistle and try to make yourself look larger if you have a close encounter with a coyote.