A coyote was seen the evening of Nov. 12 on Pelhamdale Avenue and Central Avenue, Sheryl Jarvis of Chester Heights reported on the social network Nextdoor Pelham.

EARLIER REPORT: A coyote was sighted at 2:05 a.m. on Nov. 5 on Birch Avenue in Pelham, according to the Pelham Police Department.

“This was only a sighting and the animal was not aggressive or sick,” according to a Pelham Police press release.

The coyote “was in my backyard!” Joan Louise of 28 Birch Ave. posted on the Pelham Examiner’s story link on Facebook. “Cops rang my bell to tell me.”

Coyotes sightings have previously been reported in neighboring New Rochelle.

The police offered the following tips and warnings:

“PLEASE KEEP ALL dogs and cats on a leash with someone at the other end of the leash.  DO NOT leave any small pet outside unattended.

If a coyote is observed that shows no fear of humans, is exhibiting aggressive or rabid-like behavior, or if a coyote attacks a person or small house pet, contact the police department immediately at at 914-738-2000.

Keep your pets secure (on a leash), particularly small pets that are a potential food source

Keep bird feeder areas clean as the seeds attract small animals on which they prey

Secure your garbage in barrels with tight fitting lids

Feed your pets indoors

Don’t let them intimidate you and don’t hesitate to scare or threaten them off with loud noises, bright lights, throwing a tennis ball, blowing a whistle or spraying them with a garden hose

Remove any fallen fruit from around fruit trees

Educate your neighbors on the steps they can take

Coyote Safety Information

Coyotes are not nocturnal and it is common to see them running through neighborhoods or down streets, utilizing these corridors to get from one wooded area to another. They wish to avoid people, and once your presence is detected they will leave the area. If you encounter an animal that is an immediate threat to people or acting sick or abnormal, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately so an officer can be sent to evaluate and take any necessary action.

Coyotes eat many different foods, including small animals, fruits, vegetables, garbage, and pet food. Remember everything a coyote does is related to a potential meal.

Here are a few suggestions to make your property less attractive to coyotes:

Don’t let coyotes intimidate you
Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten coyotes with loud noises and bright lights. Don’t hesitate to pick up small objects, such as a tennis ball, and throw them at the coyote. If a water hose is close at hand, spray the coyote with water in the face. Let the coyote know it is un-welcome in your area.

Secure garbage
Coyotes will raid open trash materials and compost piles. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight fitting lids and keep in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost piles in containers designed to contain but vent the material.

Don’t feed or try to pet coyotes
Keep wild things wild. Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause coyotes to act tame and over time may lead to bold behavior. Coyotes that rely on natural food items remain wild and wary of humans.

Keep your pets safe
Although free roaming pets are more likely to be killed by automobiles than by wild animals, coyotes do view cats and small dogs as potential food and larger dogs as competition. For the safety of your pets, keep them restrained at all times.

Feed pets indoors
Outdoor feeding attracts many wild animals to your door.

Keep bird feeding areas clean
Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground as the seed attracts many small mammals that coyotes prey upon. Remove feeders if coyotes are regularly seen around your yard.

Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds
Coyotes use such areas for resting and raising young.

Cut back brushy edges in your yard
These areas provide cover for coyotes and their prey.

Protect livestock and produce
Coyotes will prey upon livestock. Techniques, such as fencing, will protect livestock from predation. Clear fallen fruit from around fruit trees.

Educate your neighbors
Pass this information along since your efforts will be futile if neighbors are providing food or shelter for coyotes.”