Coyote Attacks Prompt Warning From Ramsey Officials

RAMSEY, NJ — Local authorities are urging residents to be cautious following two recent coyote attacks nearby.

In suburban and urban areas, coyotes have occasionally attacked small pets. Although attacks on humans are extremely rare, as with any predatory animal they can occur, the Ramsey Office of Emergency Management said in a Facebook post Friday. "They are by nature wary of humans. However, coyote behavior changes if given access to human food and garbage. They lose caution and fear."

Coyotes can survive on whatever food is available. They prey on rabbits, mice, birds, and young and weakened deer, the Ramsey OEM said.

The following guidelines can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes, authorities said:

• Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.
• Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
• Bring pets in at night.
• Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and coyote prey.
• Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
• Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
• Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings - this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles.

The Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah remains closed after a pair of coyote attacks there Oct. 5. The county recommended that residents keep pets indoors.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com