Beware Of Coyotes After Several Dog Attacks In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — Several dogs have been attacked by coyotes in Westport in recent weeks, and authorities are warning residents to be careful when allowing their pets to be outside.

Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods did not give a number as to how many dogs have been attacked, and did not say that the attacks were only in any specific area of town.

"Fortunately, none of the attacks were fatal," Woods said in a statement.

The department is offering the following tips to help keep pets safe:

• Supervise your pets while they are out in the yard! Coyotes avoid conflict with humans, so your presence should prevent any problems.
• 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.

"Coyotes are now found throughout North America," Woods said. "They are an adaptable and opportunistic canid. Statistically, they pose very little risk to humans. 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."

Resources:
U.S. Navy-issue 130-decibel Storm Whistle.
Frontiersman 130-decibel Bear Horn.
Mace-brand Canine Repellent.

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