MANCHESTER -- Police in Manchester are warning pet owners to be careful while in wooded areas after several coyote attacks.
In the past month there have been three attacks on dogs in Manchester. Two of the attacks occurred near the Porter Reservoir and were on dogs that did not have leashes on, according to Manchester General Manager Scott Shanley.
The third attack occurred on Case Mountain, and that dog did have a leash on.
Warning signs have been posted both at the reservoir and mountain, though Shanley did say to remember that there are a lot of protected woods and forested areas in town.
Shanley said he doesn't remember having this many attacks in such a short period in recent years.
On April 1 we also reported that a resident was walking with her two dogs on a trail off around the reservoir, which is off Garth Road, when a pair of coyotes attacked. The dogs were right next to their owner when the attack occurred, and one of the dogs was bit about five times.
Karina Meyer's pit bull was one of the dogs attacked in that incident. However, despite the attack and posted coyote warnings, Meyer was walking her small dog without a leash at Porter Reservoir on Monday.
"I know they roam, so they could be anywhere," said Meyer. "It's irresponsible of me not to have him leashed."
Meyer's pit bull is currently being quarantined for 90 days because it was not vaccinated when it was attacked. Meyer said she has walked her dogs at Porter Reservoir twice a day, every day, for the last 12 years. "I've never seen a coyote in here before, ever," said Meyer.
Manchester Police Captain Chris Davis said the attacks are unheard of in his time in Manchester.
"In 23 years, I've never heard of another coyote attack, let alone three," said Davis.
Davis stresses that anyone who encounters a coyote needs to stay calm. "Don't run from it," said Davis. "You want to try and make as much noise, maybe use a stick to try and thwart the coyote away."
For the time being, Davis said dog walkers should avoid Porter Reservoir and Case Mountain. He also stressed that dogs need to be leashed and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
FOX 61 also covered a coyote attack last week on a trail in Windsor Locks. That dog was unleashed and had wandered into the woods, and when he returned to his owner had two coyotes on his tail.
Here is more information and some tips from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on what to do if you encounter a coyote:
- Don't allow pets to run free. Keep dogs leashed while out, and cats indoors (especially at night)
- Install coyote proof fencing in your backyard as a long-term solution
- Close off crawl spaces under your porch or shed that coyotes and other animals could get under
- Don't leave food outdoors or ever feed coyotes
- If you encounter a coyote:
- You can try and frighten it away by making loud noises, such as shouting, a horn or whistle, or banking pots and pans
- Act aggressively by waving your arms, throwing sticks, spraying it with a hose
- It is legal to trap and hunt coyotes in Connecticut, but there are strict laws
To report coyote problems to DEEP call 860-424-3011; to report a coyote or other animal acting abnormally or making an immediate threat call the emergency dispatch for DEEP at 860-424-3333.
