UPDATE: Message from the Mayor: Coyote attacks in Village

Peter Swiderski
Last night, between 6:30 and 8:00PM, three people were attacked and bitten by a coyote and a small dog was killed. Two of these attacks occurred on Kent and on Overlook, and one in Clarewood Village. All attacks occurred on the street. The three victims have been treated at hospital and released. The animal also charged a number of other residents (and, in several cases, their pet dogs) though did not inflict any injury.  The coyote has not been located and destroyed.  It was last seen running toward Hillside Woods.
 
Earlier during the day, another coyote was seen walking in broad daylight (which is atypical behavior), and it was struck, though not killed, by a driver near Broadway. The Hastings Police Department responded to the scene and destroyed the animal. It was then secured by Greenburgh Animal Control and transported to the Westchester County Health Department to determine if it was infected with rabies.  The NYS DEC also sent several officers to assist in the hunt for the animal.
 
What We Are Doing
  • We have informed all the schools and nursery schools. The Hastings School system has asked that the children be driven to and from school today.  Recess will be inside.
  • We will have extra police officers out and will work with members of the Hastings Fire Department to patrol the streets searching for the animal and also warning people about the risk. The police are under instruction to destroy the animal if a safe shot can be taken.
  • We will be securing the services of professional trappers/sharpshooters to work in Hillside Woods to destroy coyotes found there.
  • We are closing Hillside Woods and Park  immediately for the duration of this emergency, and will post signs that there is no access.  We will also  be closing Uniontown Park and Quarry Park immediately as well. We will be posting warning signs on the Aqueduct Trail.
  • We are liaisoning with the DEC, Town of Greenburgh, and neighboring police departments to apprise them of the threat and all developments.
What You Should Do
  • Please call the Police Department (914-478-2344) IMMEDIATELY if you see a coyote today. Needless to say, actively move away from the animal. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH PREVIOUS SIGHTINGS OR QUESTIONS.
  • If you are outside, be aware of your surroundings.  If you must walk your dog, please keep it on a leash and do not go into any of the parks. Do not let your cat outside. If you feed your dog outside, please bring the food inside.
  • We do not recommend jogging on the Aqueduct or other trailways.
  • If you see any other animals behaving erratically or atypically (e.g. a racoon in broad daylight), please notify the police IMMEDIATELY
 
We will put out bulletins as the situation develops.
 
Thank you for your attention.
 
Peter Swiderski
Mayor