Coyotes spotted in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Recent coyote sightings in Swampscott and calls to the Animal Control Department have prompted the Swampscott Board of Health to issue an explanation and advice to citizens.Director of Public Health Jeff Vaughan said there have been several reports of coyotes in the Phillips Park area and on Bates Road.?Coyotes are not considered an immediate threat to human safety, therefore animal control officers and municipal police departments are not authorized to remove the animals,” he said. “The best thing to do is to leave them alone unless they are acting aggressively. If it’s acting aggressively, people should call the police department and the police will notify animal control.”Vaughan said he believes the animals that were spotted in town are coyotes not foxes, which can look similar, but he said doesn’t have any photographic evidence to back that up yet. He pointed out coyotes are the size of a medium dog, but their fur is usually longer and thicker. He said one distinguishing feature of coyotes is their long, bushy, black-tipped tail that is usually pointing downward.Vaughan said residents should not let coyotes intimidate them and it is okay to try to scare the coyote away using loud noises, bright lights or even by throwing small objects such as a tennis ball at it.Vaughan pointed out coyotes will eat whatever is readily available including fruit, rodents, birds, snakes, frogs and rabbits. He said the animals would forage through garbage and eat pet food left outdoors so residents should secure garbage in containers with lids and avoid leaving pet food outside to make the area less attractive to wild animals.Vaughan added coyotes have been known to prey upon domestic pets in suburban areas. He said unleashed pets are more likely to be killed by an automobile than a coyote but he urged residents to keep their pets restrained.He also recommended closing off any crawlspaces under homes, steps and garages because these areas provide a haven for coyotes and other wild animals. Above all he urged residents not to try to pet or feed coyotes or other wild animals.