Plainville police caution community after coyote sightings

PLAINVILLE, Mass. (WLNE) — The Plainville Police Department is cautioning residents after reported coyote sightings throughout the town.

This month, Plainville police officers responded to a report of a coyote out in the daylight acting abnormally. It was determined a public safety risk and officers humanely euthanized the coyote on-scene.

Officials have shared the following tip from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife for safely avoiding encounters with coyotes:

• Never provide food for coyotes or do anything to attract them. Coyotes rely on natural food and typically remain wail and wary of humans
• Prevent coyotes from accessing food sources. Pet food, birdseed and food-related trash can attract coyotes and other wildlife
• Keep dumpster areas clean and keep trash containers covered
• Spend time outdoors: Coyotes typically try to avoid humans. The regular presence of humans is a deterrent for coyotes
• Protect pets from coyotes: Coyotes can view cats and small dogs as potential food and larger dogs as competition. Keep pets leashed and under supervision at all times

If you encounter a coyote, Project Coyote recommends taking steps to scare it away — these steps are known as hazing.

• Stand your ground: Make eye contact and advance toward the coyote while actively hazing until it retreats. Allow room for it to retreat
• Make sure the coyote is focused on you as a source of danger. Do not haze from a building or car where it can’t clearly see you
• Continue your hazing efforts, even if there is more than one coyote present
• Use multiple tools, such as loud sounds, light and exaggerated motion
• Hazing should be exaggerated, assertive and consistent
• Coyotes have routine habits, so make note of when and where you encounter them. Ask your neighbors to assist in scaring them off
• If a coyote appears sick or injured, do not attempt to haze it
• Hazing should be avoided in the months of March through July, as well as if the coyote is a comfortable distance away, or if you encounter a coyote in an open area where a den may be nearby. You should haze a coyote if it approaches you, or if you see it comfortably walking in a neighborhood or park.

For more information on preventing conflicts with coyotes, click here.