Animal Attack Reported In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — A coyote attacked a dog in Westport Tuesday, but the pet owner was able to avoid injury to themselves and their pet, according to Westport police.

The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Roseville Road near Joanne Circle, when the owner and the dog were outside. Neither saw the coyote, which had been standing near the wood line, before the attack.

"The coyote approached and lunged at the dog, but the resident was able to run back inside before the dog and the coyote engaged with each other," wrote Westport Police Capt. Eric Woods in a statement.

According to Woods, coyotes are now found throughout North America, and are an adaptable and opportunistic.

"Statistically, they pose very little risk to humans," Woods said. "There have been only two recorded fatal attacks by coyotes on humans in the last 100 years in North America. But as we know, they do pose a risk to our pets."

Below are tips from the police department to protect family members and pets from attacks:

• Supervise your pets while they are out in the yard.

• While out at night with your pets, carry a powerful flashlight and keep tabs on your surroundings.

• Coyotes can be successfully hazed or driven away using noise (high-decibel whistle or air-horn) or thrown objects (balls, sticks, rocks).

• If you are walking a small pet and see a coyote, pick the pet up. Any time you are with your pet and see a coyote, give them a wide berth. You should gradually retreat but maintain situational awareness (keep eyes on) and be assertive and noisy (yelling or using whistle).

• While at home, a fenced enclosure is the best way to prevent unexpected wildlife encounters. Deer fences are designed to keep out deer, but they do a poor job of excluding smaller species (like coyotes). Coyotes and other animals can often slip under deer fences.

• Motion-sensitive lights can help alert homeowners to wild intruders at night and can help deter coyotes.

• Pets smaller than 30 pounds are at serious risk from coyotes, but coyotes will tussle with larger pets on occasion. Even larger pets will benefit from supervision.

• It is important to remember that coyotes can be active day or night.

For more information, contact Westport Animal Control at 203-341-6011.