Coyote Spotted In Bergen County Town Where Dog Was Mauled To Death

HO-HO-KUS, NJ — A coyote has been spotted in Ho-Ho-Kus in the same area of town where a coyote killed a pet dog in late October, police said.

Police said the animal was spotted on the east side of town on Wednesday morning, in the area of Boiling Spring Road and East Saddle River Road.

The attack that killed a woman's pet shih tzu in Ho-Ho-Kus in October was one of five coyote attacks in Bergen County in September and October.

In September, after two Saddle River residents were attacked while walking their dogs, police captured a coyote that was found to have rabies. Rabies is fatal to both humans and animals if not treated immediately. READ MORE: Coyote Euthanized After 2 People Are Attacked In Saddle River: Police

Those attacks and the killing of the shih tzu in prompted complaints from Ho-Ho-Kus residents that police hadn't warned about the coyote right away. At the time, police responded by saying there was no immediate threat.

Police Captain Greg McBain said Wednesday that the coyote involved in the dog attack hasn't been captured, to his knowledge.

On Wednesday, the Ho-Ho-Kus police wrote on social media, "Coyotes are naturally cautious and typically avoid people, but sightings increase during the winter months and awareness is important."

They asked residents to report any aggressive coyote behavior to the local police. "Let’s all agree this is one neighbor you don’t want stopping by," they wrote.

McBain told Patch that there were five sightings of a coyote in town since the attack: On Oct. 25, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, and this past Wednesday, just after 10 a.m.

On social media, police released these safety reminders:

• Keep small pets leashed and supervised
• Do not feed or approach coyotes
• Secure trash, pet food, and bird seed
• If encountered, make loud noises and wave your arms
• Do not run or turn your back

Read the police post here.