Coyote Observations, Behavior and Reports

Greenwich is full of wildlife and it's important to remain vigilant when it comes to coyotes. 

If you see a sick or injured coyote, call Greenwich Animal Control Division immediately – 622-8299

For emergency response call 911

To report all other coyote sightings, call Greenwich Conservation Commission – 622-6461 or email Conservation@GreenwichCT.org 

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Living With Coyotes in Greenwich


Coyotes were first reported in Connecticut in the mid- 1950’s. Since then, they have expanded their range and are now an integral part of Connecticut’s ecosystem.

They are well established throughout the state, including lower Fairfield County, and thrive in urban and suburban areas close to people.

People and coyotes can co-exist. Just as coyotes have adapted to living in close proximity to humans, we can adapt our behavior to ensure that the natural fear coyotes have of humans is maintained.  An understanding of coyote behavior is important to our successful co-existence.

Coyotes eat many different foods including rodents, rabbits, birds, deer, snakes, frogs, insects, fruit, vegetables, garbage and pet food. In residential areas, coyotes can lose their fear of people because they associate food supply with us.   Coyotes may also become bold if they are attracted to natural food sources near people and have no negative experiences when being close to people and houses. They readily prey on rodents, which is a benefit to people.

Coyotes do not live in packs.  They live in family units consisting of an adult pair and their young, which may stay with the parents for up to two years.  They protect their territory from other canids, including coyotes and foxes.

Coyotes may view dogs as competition. They become most territorial during spring and early summer when they are raising young.  Both the coyote and your dog believe that your yard is their territory. Older and small dogs are more likely to be attacked, as the coyote knows it is physically superior. Coyotes can view cats and very small dogs as prey. Homeowners need to supervise these small pets at all times when they are outside.

Conflicts with coyotes are common and may occur at any time of year, but attacks on humans are extremely rare.  However, coyotes that have lost their natural fear of humans may exhibit unpredictable behavior. Preventative measures and an improved understanding of coyote behavior by the public will reduce unwanted fears and increase the likelihood that we can co-exist.


Tips for Preventing and Resolving Coyote Conflicts


  • Treat coyotes as wild animals, with respect and from a distance!
  • Do not feed or pet coyotes!
  • Do not let the coyote intimidate you! If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior - make loud noises (shout or bang pots), wave your arms, throw sticks and stone, or spray with a garden hose. 
  • Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise small pets at ALL times.
  • Do not feed pets outside.
  • Secure garbage from coyotes and other animals.
  • Eliminate availability of bird seed. Use feeders that keep seed off of the ground. Coyotes are attracted to the concentration of birds and rodents that come to feeders. Remove feeders if necessary.
  • Compost in closed containers that are well vented.
  • Clear fallen fruit from under trees.
  • Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance.
  • Close off crawl space under porches and sheds that coyotes or other animals may use.
  • Regulated hunting and trapping may be used to remove problem coyotes in combination with prevention measures.
  • Fencing may deter coyotes. Proper and well-maintained fencing can keep coyotes away from pets and people.
  • Educate your neighbors. Ask them to follow these steps.

Build your own coyote safety kit

  1. Coyote Safety Kit Guide

For more information on coyotes, check out these web sites: 

coyote_threat_response_diagram


Coyote BehaviorClassificationResponse
Coyote heard; scat or prints seenObservationDistribute educational materials and information on normal coyote behavior
Coyote seen moving through area (day or night)SightingDistribute educational materials and information on normal coyote behavior
Coyote seen resting in area (day or night)SightingIf are frequented by people, educate on normal coyote behavior and how to haze to encourage animal to leave. Look for and eliminate attractants.
Coyote entering a yard (no person present outside)SightingEducate on coyote attractants; provide hazing information and yard visit.
Coyote following or approaching a person with no incidentEncounterEducate on hazing techniques. Look for and eliminate attractants.
Coyote following or approaching a person and pet with no incidentEncounterEducate on hazing techniques and pet management. If in open area, post educational signs to alert other residents to keep dogs on leash and to haze coyotes. If it is pup season and there is a known den nearby, consider blocking off the path or area until pup season is over. 
Coyote entering a yard with pets, no incidentEncounterEducate on coyote attractants and pet management; provide hazing information and yard visit.
Coyote entering yard with people and pets, no pet attack occurringEncounterGather information on specific animal involved and report circumstances. Educate on coyote attractants and pet management, provide hazing information and yard visit.
Coyote injures or kills unattended pet in back yardUnattended Pet AttackGather information on specific animal involved and report circumstances. Educate on coyote attractants and pet management, provide hazing information and yard visit.
Coyote injures or kills pet off-leash in open space areaUnattended Pet AttackGather information on specific animal involved and report circumstances. Educate on coyote attractants and pet management and hazing. Look for and eliminate food attractants. Post educational signs in open area to alert other residents to keep dogs on leash and to haze coyotes. If it is pup season and there is a known den nearby, consider blocking off the path or area until pup season is over. Develop hazing team in area. Levy fines (for leash law violations) when appropriate.
Coyote injures or kills livestockLivestock Loss/DepredationGather information on specific animals involved and report circumstances. Educate on proper livestock husbandry (including the use of secure enclosures, livestock guarding animals, and/or proper fencing).
Coyote injures or kills pet off-leash with human nearby (within six feet)Attended Pet AttackGather information on specific animals involved and report circumstances. Educate on pet management, coyote attractants and hazing. Perform yard/neighborhood/ public area visit. Post educational signs and/or send educational materials to residents in the area. Implement high intensity hazing techniques (by ACOs, police, etc.- using rubber bullets, paintball guns, etc.)
Coyote injures or kills pet on-leash (within six feet)Attended Pet AttackGather information on specific animals involved and report circumstances. Educate on pet management, coyote attractants and hazing. Perform yard/neighborhood/ public area visit. Post educational signs and/or send educational materials to residents in the area. Implement high intensity hazing techniques (by ACOs, police, etc.- using rubber bullets, paintball guns, etc.)
Coyote aggreive toward person, showing teeth, back fur raised, lunging, nipping without contactIncidentGather information on specific animals involved and report circumstances. Educate on pet management, coyote attractants and hazing. Perform yard/neighborhood/ public area visit. Post educational signs and/or send educational materials to residents in the area. Implement high intensity hazing techniques (by ACOs, police, etc.- using rubber bullets, paintball guns, etc.)
Coyote has bitten human (Human encouraged coyote to engage by hand feeding, approaching coyote with pups, intervening during pet attach, etc.)Provoked Human AttackIdentify and gather information on all details of attack (including the attraction by victim before and after attack, whether feeding or pets were involved, action of victim towards coyote and how incident was resolved). Any human bitten by a coyote(s) will need to seek the advice of their physician concerning the administration of a post-exposure rabies vaccination. If the offending coyote is killed, he/she should not only be tested for rabies, but should also be given a full necropsy (to determine general health and whether feeding was involved). Educate residents on coyote attractants, yard/ neighborhood visits, hazing and pet management. Levy fines (for wildlife feeding or leash law violations) when appropriate. Implement high-intensity hazing techniques (by ACOs, police, etc.)- using rubber bullets, paintball guns, etc. for any other habituated or bold coyotes in area.
Coyote has bitten human (Human did not encourage coyote to engage)Unattended Human AttackIdentify and gather information on all details of attack (including the attraction by victim before and after attack, whether feeding or pets were involved, action of victim towards coyote and how incident was resolved). Any human bitten by a coyote(s) will need to seek the advice of their physician concerning the administration of a post-exposure rabies vaccination. If the offending coyote is killed, he/she should not only be tested for rabies, but should also be given a full necropsy (to determine general health and whether feeding was involved). Educate residents on coyote attractants, yard/ neighborhood visits, hazing and pet management. Levy fines (for wildlife feeding or leash law violations) when appropriate. Implement high-intensity hazing techniques (by ACOs, police, etc.)- using rubber bullets, paintball guns, etc. for any other habituated or bold coyotes in area.