Residents Worried About Coyote Presence

Days after New Castle Police issued a warning about coyotes, residents came before the town board on Wednesday to express their concerns about the issue, stating that people in town are fearful of them.

“They're not just in the wooded areas anymore,” said Eileen Gallagher, who spoke before the board. “People are afraid to be outside with their pets and their small children.”

Gallagher also noted that human behavior, such as the use of bird feeders that can attract coyote prey, along with leaving garbage outside, can contribute to the problem.

The police warning came in response to a pair of incidents involving distressed dogs in parts of town. One, a 25-pound canine, was attacked by a coyote on May 13 on Cedar Lane in Chappaqua, police said. The other, a small dog, was reported missing on May 5 from a house on Chappaqua's Jeffrey Lane. Both dogs were outside in yards, police said, with a “screeching sound” being heard before the small dog disappeared.

Resident Paula Gorkin told the town board that the coyote problem is “much, much worse” than before, and said that there have been many sightings.

The issue has become a concern from residents, Gorkin said, referencing discussion on the Chappaqua Moms Facebook page as an example. It also made news on NBC and Fox, she added.

Supervisor Susan Carpenter described the threat by coyotes to humans as being low, with people get killed more often by other animals. However, she warned that small animals, such as dogs or cats, could be at risk if left outside.

“But, if you have a small dog or if you have a cat and you leave it outside, it is coyote bait, that's really what it is.”

Carpenter, who said that she will not leave her dog outside, described the coyotes as being around for a long time.

“They live in the town. They've always been here.” She added that people are allowed to trap coyotes on their own property, although they can't set up traps on neighbors' properties without their permission.

On resident asked about what role New Castle police could take. Carpenter responded that the police don't have authority for the matter but that the state's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) does. She also said that steps can be taken to keep coyotes away, such as making noise or using a hose.

Gallagher, noting that geese have been trapped or killed, wondered if a similar approach could be taken, expressing concern about coyotes being left alone. Carpenter replied by reiterating the fact that people are allowed to trap them on their properties.

Councilman Jason Chapin, who recalled a neighbor of his losing a dog to a coyote about two years ago, referenced information about how coyotes create their own territory. He said that if they become comfortable in an area, then people need to figure out how to get them to leave.

For residents who want to learn more about coyotes and how to deal with them, the town has an information packet on its website. Click here to access it.