WPCNR SOUTHENDER. August 17, 2007: In discussion at the Council of Neighborhood Associations Tuesday evening several representatives expressed that they had seen coyote or fox sightings in their neighborhoods.

Wanted: Westchester E. Coyote. Suspect is nocturnal, stealthy, often mistaken for a fox, since the coyote is redish brown in coat, distinguished from the fox by his skinny tale, not bushy like a fox, dragged low to the ground, and sharp snarly snout. Preys on cats, small dogs, rodents, has no natural enemies in this area. The CitizeNetReporter has seen coyotes in the Havilands Manor area. Others have spotted coyotes in the Saxon Woods neighborhood of White Plains. Photo, public domain.

Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Daniel Jackson of the Department of Public Safety confirmed this to WPCNR in statement, writing, "We have received a number of calls (mostly in the Sammis Lane area) reporting coyote and/or fox sightings. To my knowledge we have not had any contact with humans. People can report any contact to us at any time at 422-6111."

WPCNR sighted what I believed to be a coyote at 4 in the afternoon loping down Ridgeway moving north fast  in the Havilands Manor neighborhood. The animal was sandy in color, had pointy ears and when sensed it was spotted picked up speed and vanished. It did not look friendly.

The commissioner referred viewers to the Department of Environmental Conservation website for information on how to handle coyotes and deal with the new wiley neighbors. The site encourages people to avoid leaving pets out in yards or to feed coyotes. The site is at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6917.html.