Police Officer Shoots, Kills Disoriented Westport Coyote

An officer discharged and fired his weapon on Bobwhite Drive Wednesday afternoon in order to put down the sick, baby coyote, according to an eyewitness.

Westport resident Stephanie Stallone, who lives at 20 Bobwhite Drive, said the animal was in her front yard and came very close to her house at about 3 p.m.

“I heard my golden retriever, Max, barking ferociously at my front window and saw the sick, baby coyote,” Stallone said.

That was when she opted to blow an air horn to ‘try to frighten the animal.’

Unfazed by the noise, the coyote went right up Stallone’s front steps without making any attempt to flee, Stallone said.

Stallone called the and Animal Control Officer Peter D’Amico responded to the scene. He confirmed the animal was a baby coyote that seemed extremely sick.

D’Amico called for back up and a Westport police officer responded to put the animal down after both officers concluded the animal was indeed disoriented and ill.  

“The Westport PD officer fired his weapon and it was heard throughout the neighborhood,” Stallone said.

An agency will pick up the coyote body for testing tomorrow morning, according to Stallone. She said that was the third coyote she had seen this summer on Bobwhite Drive.

Editor's note: This article originally was posted on Wednesday. The time stamp has been changed for layout purposes on the Home page of Darien Patch.