Schenck's Island Reopened Following Capture Of Sick Coyote

WILTON, CT — Police have re-opened Schenck's Island, following the capture of the coyote reported to have been behaving abnormally while roaming the property.

Police began receiving reports of the sick animal on Oct. 19, and temporarily closed the property two days later. Wilton's animal control officer located the coyote on Oct. 23, police said.

"The coyote was displaying multiple symptoms consistent with the rabies virus. As a result, the coyote was euthanized and removed from the property," Wilton Police Department said in a statement issued Wednesday.

According to the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, "As coyotes have become more common and occasionally prey on or attack pets, public concerns about coyotes attacking people, especially children, have increased. Although some coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people, the risk of a coyote attacking a person is low."