Wyckoff Family's Dog Killed By Coyote, Police Say

WYCKOFF, NJ – A Wyckoff family’s Chihuahua was killed Tuesday night after a coyote snatched the pup from a backyard and carried it away, according to police

Officers were called to a home in the Spring Meadow section of town after a resident reported that their 11-year-old dog had been taken by a coyote and dragged into a wooded area bordering the backyard, Lt. Joseph Soto said.

“A short time later, the dog was found, but tragically had succumbed to its injuries,” Soto said.

Tyco Animal Control also responded to the scene and is investigating what happened, the lieutenant said.

The incident comes just days after a Mahwah woman was bitten several times by a coyote. She was ultimately able to force the coyote away by striking it with a baseball bat, police said.

Earlier this week, Wyckoff police reminded residents not to call headquarters or dial 911 to report coyote sightings – unless the wild animal seems sick, aggressive or otherwise acting unusually.

Police said they have "received numerous calls" about "wild animals roaming in town, especially foxes and coyotes," the department wrote on its Facebook page.

During the warm weather, adult animals are trying to keep their new offspring properly fed and will be active most hours of the day to accomplish this, police reminded residents.

According to information provided by Tyco Animal Control, "Most towns in Bergen and Passaic Counties have a thriving population of coyotes. People should always be cautious when dealing with all wildlife. No matter how cute an animal is, you should not attempt to catch, touch or feed them."

Coyotes "prey mostly on deer, rodents, rabbits, and roadkill. If you have noticed coyotes in your neighborhood, you probably have also noticed a reduction in rats, chipmunks, and squirrels. Coyotes are beneficial as a form of rodent control," Tyco said.

"Most of the time, coyotes go out of their way to avoid humans. In urban areas, coyotes are changing their behavior because of human behavior. These animals have become very accustomed to people due to finding food left on their properties. This is a serious concern. As they lose their fear, they will approach people looking for more food, putting themselves in hazardous situations that they would normally avoid. They will take advantage of eating whatever food is available.

To report non-emergent animal sightings, call the Wyckoff Police Department at 201-891-2121. Residents should only dial 911 in the event of an actual emergency, the department said.

Wildlife Safety Tips (courtesy of the state Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish & Wildlife)

• Do not approach aggressive wildlife
• Keep a safe distance from non-aggressive wildlife
• Stay away from wild animals especially if they appear sluggish or overly aggressive
• Nocturnal animals that are seen during the day should also be avoided
• Never feed wildlife
• Protect your pets by vaccinating them against rabies
• Never leave small children and small pets outside and unsupervised
• Cover garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent such from tipping over
• Remove compost piles, brush, weeds, or wood piles (this reduces the protective cover for wildlife)
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around your property
• Should non-aggressive/aggressive wildlife approach you, try to make: loud noises, blast an air siren/air horn, or spray wildlife with a garden hose
• Report any bites or incidents involving another animal
• If you or your pet are bitten or scratched by a wild animal you should immediately clean the wound with soap and clean water and have it treated by a physician or veterinarian, respectively
• For safety reasons and prohibitive laws regarding the releasing of wild animals, the trapping of such on private property should be left to a licensed professional
• Contact authorities in event of any sightings of sick or injured animals