Officials in Dobbs Ferry in New York's Westchester, are considering measures that could include trapping after Mayor Christy Knell said a coyote reportedly chased students on their way to the Masters School, Patch reported.
Here's what to know
According to Patch, Knell told residents that sightings had been spotted from several parts of Dobbs Ferry and that it was still unclear whether all of them involved the same coyote. The locations included areas near Masters School, Springhurst, and Beacon Hill.
At Masters, the report that raised the most alarm involved a coyote allegedly pursuing middle and high school students, including the mayor's daughter, as they walked to school. Knell said she and another parent contacted police, who then began patrolling the area.
"The coyote does not appear to be rabid or behaving out of the ordinary for a coyote, but the fact remains that it feels abnormal for us to be seeing so many in the more dense areas of the village," Knell stated, per Patch.
Officials are trying to understand the animal's behavior and why so many encounters are happening in areas where children and families regularly travel.
More background
Knell said discussions have been underway with neighboring Hastings and Irvington as the communities look for a response to increased sightings in denser areas.
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Patch said Knell wrote that while adults can be taught how to react during a coyote encounter, the situation is different for children who are expected to walk to school.
To help shape their response, the towns also consulted officials in a community that dealt with a similar situation.
"Our tri-village coalition also connected with officials in Rye Brook who put a plan in place after a rabid coyote attack occurred in 2010," Knell explained, per the outlet. "We want to understand what's worked best and apply that here."
What's being done?
Patch noted Village Administrator Mike Neppl has been consulting professional trappers to learn what options exist if the village decides stronger intervention is needed. Knell said he has also worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to obtain any permit required if Dobbs Ferry moves forward with trapping coyotes.
The village is also in contact with safety officials from the Dobbs Ferry School District and Masters School about the best approach for school-aged children.
Knell asked residents to notify the Dobbs Ferry Police Department at 914-693-5500 about unusual or aggressive coyote behavior.
"The Dobbs Ferry police officers are empowered to take action against a coyote in the event of an attack," the mayor concluded, according to Patch.
Where can I learn more?
Reports from other communities offer a sense of how coyote encounters can play out in populated areas.
• New York City residents were urged to watch for unexpected behavior in urban coyotes near Central Park.
• Near a Dallas trail, a coyote chased two children and deepened fears about bold behavior.
• Officials warned residents of St. Louis, Missouri, after a coyote stalks local families in park areas.
• Coyotes moved deeper into suburban neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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