Coyote Chased Mayor's Daughter And Other Students Headed To School In Dobbs Ferry

DOBBS FERRY, NY — A coyote's aggressive behavior is causing concern among officials in Westchester.

Dobbs Ferry is responding to multiple coyote sightings reported Friday morning in several parts of the village, including near Masters School, Springhurst, and Beacon Hill, according to a message Mayor Christy Knell sent to residents.

Knell wrote that it was unclear whether the sightings involved the same animal. She said the first sighting at Masters included a report that a coyote was chasing a group of middle and high school students as they walked to school, including her daughter. Knell said police were notified by her and another parent and that officers had been patrolling Friday morning.

"The coyote does not appear to be rabid or behaving out of the ordinary for a coyote, but the fact remains that it feels abnormal for us to be seeing so many in the more dense areas of the village," Knell wrote. She added that while adults can be told how to respond in an encounter, "our kids, who are encouraged and oftentimes have to walk to school, are a different story."

According to Knell, Dobbs Ferry has been coordinating during the last two weeks with Hastings and Irvington on a plan for increased sightings in more populated areas this season. She wrote that Village Administrator Mike Neppl has been meeting with professional trappers to understand available options.

Knell said Neppl also worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to get the permit the village would need for coyote trapping, if officials decide to use professional trappers. She said the village is also connecting with safety officials at the Dobbs Ferry School District and at Masters to determine what is best for school-aged children.

"Our tri-village coalition also connected with officials in Rye Brook who put a plan in place after a rabid coyote attack occurred in 2010," Knell said. "We want to understand what's worked best and apply that here."

Neppl is scheduled to present his findings at the Village Board regular meeting on Tuesday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Residents can attend in person or online and ask questions.

Knell asked residents to continue reporting sightings of peculiar or aggressive coyote behavior to the Dobbs Ferry Police Department at 914- 693-5500.

"The Dobbs Ferry police officers are empowered to take action against a coyote in the event of an attack," the mayor said.