Authorities warn of increased coyote sightings in Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, Wisconsin – Coyotes and other wildlife don’t just live in timber forests and rural areas. In fact, quite a few of them also call cities their home! On Monday, Wauwatosa police posted on their Facebook page, warning of a high number of coyote sightings in the area.

While coyotes rarely harm humans, they are known to be predators of small animals and can even injure or kill pets.

“Coyotes are naturally secret creatures; However, they are opportunistic hunters, ”the Wauwatosa Police Department said in its Facebook post on Monday. “Their presence can be confusing or frightening, but in general they are more afraid of you than you are of them. “

The Wauwatosa Police Department has said they will not take out any coyotes out of annoyance because they are part of the ecosystem around us.

However, if a coyote is spotted and is acting oddly or aggressive, witnesses are encouraged to call Wauwatosa’s non-emergency number 414-471-8430. From there, an agent will be dispatched to assess the situation and take the necessary action.

The Wauwatosa Police Department also offered the following tips to prevent unwanted neighborhood coyotes from roaming your home:

• Make sure the lids of your trash cans are closed
• Do not leave food for wildlife as it may attract prey from coyotes or the coyotes themselves.
• Never intentionally feed coyotes
• Keep your bird feeders clean as fallen seeds can attract small animals that coyotes feed on
• Feed your pets indoors
• Don’t let the coyotes intimidate you. They are rarely dangerous to humans. Shout, make a lot of noise, throw a ball, a shoe or sticks to scare them. Spraying them with a garden hose or using ultrasonic dog repellents can also help.

For more information, visit the Police of the City of Wauwatosa Coyote Management and Response Plan.

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