Beware of coyotes in East Brunswick

• Residents are advised not to leave food outside to attract coyotes
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers with lids that lock
• Remove sources of water outdoors and don’t leave pets out unattended

EAST BRUNSWICK – If you think you’ve seen a coyote in town, your eyes aren’t deceiving you.

Police and animal control officers have received a number of reports of coyote sightings in the township.

The wild animals have been spotted in a number of areas throughout the town. All of the coyotes spotted have displayed appropriate reactions to people, leaving the area.

Coyotes and other wild animals deliver litters during April and May. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are most likely to develop as the adult animals search for food for the pups in the spring and summer.

Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food. Homeowners are being warned to keep their yards well-manicured. Backyard debris or wood piles, as well as weedy and shrubby areas, may attract coyotes to your property. Coyotes also will go after garbage, pet food and domestic animals left unattended.

This month, a coyote apparently attacked a small dog outside of a home in Randolph.

Police said allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is irresponsible and can lead to problems.

While coyote attacks on humans are considered rare in the Northeast, police and animal control offer several preventive measures to reduce coyote-human interactions, such as removing potential food sources like garbage and bird feed so coyotes will go elsewhere searching for food.

In addition, never feed a coyote. Feeding them puts pets and other neighborhood residents at risk. Feeding pets or wild cats outdoors also can attract coyotes because they will feed on the pet food and prey on the cats. Residents are urged to remove all containers as soon as the cats are done eating.

Residents are advised to put garbage in tightly closed containers with locking lids that cannot be tipped over. Remove water sources. Bring pets in at night and do not leave small pets outside unattended. Put bird feeders away at night to avoid attracting rodents. Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, chickens and other farm animals. Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.

Parents are advised to monitor their children, even in familiar settings such as backyards. Install motion sensor lighting around the house, clear brush and dense weeds from around the house to reduce protective covering for coyotes. If coyotes are spotted, make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks or spray them with a garden hose.

If a coyote is spotted during the daytime showing no fear of people or is attacking a person or pet, walking in circles or falling over, immediately call the East Brunswick Police Department at 732-390-6900 or Animal Control at 732-390-6960.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com