VIDEO BELOW: This coyote was spotted over the weekend in the Brookhill area of Lakewood.

NJ’s Division of Fish and Wildlife describes the coyote as “a wild member of the dog family and closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of its long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail.”

Lakewood’s DPW Supervisor Tony Arrechi tells TLS that Animal Control – a department he oversees – won’t remove this wild animal unless it show signs of rabies or poses a danger.

According to Wildlife officials, “Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food, but will take advantage of whatever is available, including garbage, pet food and domestic animals that are left unattended. Allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is irresponsible and can lead to problems.”

Arrechi encourages residents to make sure they “bag their garbage and add a little ammonia to it and then tie it closed.”

Arrechi adds, “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. Keeping your distance is the best bet.”

Coyotes are by nature wary of humans. However, coyote behavior changes if given access to human food and garbage. They lose caution and fear. They may cause property damage and threaten human safety, requiring euthanasia. Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else’s neighborhood.

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

•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 other coyote prey.
•Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
•Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
•Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. 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.
•If coyotes are present, make sure they know they’re not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.

[TLS-SF/B7]

—————————————-

This content, and any other content on TLS, may not be republished or reproduced without prior permission from TLS. To inquire about using content, email us at [email protected]

Stay up to date via our news alerts, by sending ‘follow LakewoodScoop’ to the number ‘40404’ or via Twitter @LakewoodScoop 

Got news? Email us at [email protected], text us 415-857-2667, tweet us @LakewoodScoop.

VIDEO: