Home / Environment / Coyote Bites Prompt Urgent Warning in Fairfield
Coyote Bites Prompt Urgent Warning in Fairfield
16 Sep
Summary
- Fairfield Animal Control issues caution after two coyote incidents.
- One person was bitten; another person narrowly avoided an attack.
- Residents advised not to approach or feed coyotes for safety.
Fairfield Animal Control has issued an urgent warning to residents due to two recent coyote incidents in the Catamount Road and Fencerow Drive neighborhoods. One encounter resulted in a person being bitten, while a second, unrelated incident involved an attempted bite.
Residents are strongly advised against approaching, following, or attempting to interact with coyotes. It is crucial to keep dogs leashed and under close supervision, and never leave pets unattended outdoors, regardless of their size or enclosure.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) notes that coyotes typically only become aggressive if habituated through intentional feeding or if humans approach their dens. Coyotes may also exhibit bolder behavior during mating season, which occurs from late January into February.
To enhance safety, DEEP recommends never feeding coyotes, securing all food sources like birdseed and fallen fruit, and always walking dogs on a leash. If confronted by a coyote, residents should calmly leave the area and attempt to frighten the animal away with loud noises and assertive gestures.
Authorities encourage reporting any abnormally bold or suspicious coyote behavior to Fairfield Animal Control at 203-254-4857 or the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4800 if animal control is unavailable. Anyone bitten or attacked should call 911 immediately.
