Saugus residents warned about coyotes

SAUGUS – Saugus Animal Control Officer Harold Young is warning residents to be on the lookout for coyotes after a resident in the Golden Hills neighborhood found “three or four” cat carcasses last week.Young said there have been multiple coyote sightings in Golden Hills along with a sighting on Hood Street. He also said there is a coyote den at Prankers Pond.?It?s expected this time of season,” said Young. “They?re more active in the fall. In the summer their parents teach them how to hunt.”Young said coyotes generally pose no threat to humans but warned pet owners to keep their small cats or dogs in sight.?Make sure you look at your surroundings ,” said Young. “Small pets make perfect prey. (Coyotes) know routines so don?t keep the same routine.”Young said the Department of Environmental Protection keeps track of the coyotes, and action is only taken if one is sick or someone is attacked.?We haven?t had that around here,” said Young. “That?s a rarity. They stay to themselves.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter at @MattTempesta.