Brightwood Park-Coyote Safety

The town closed the park in early July out of an abundance of caution following reports of unusual coyote behavior.  After consulting with the Health Department and in consultation with the State Division of Fish Game and Wildlife, the town determined that there is no evidence of any rabid animals in the park.  


Coyotes are generally shy and avoid contact with people.  However, they may be more likely to seem aggressive if they are mating (January - March) or raising pups (April - August). 


It is better for coyotes (and humans) if the coyotes prefer to avoid people.  Here are some tips in case you encounter a coyote:


  • Stay on defined trails.
 
  • Exercise extra caution at dawn and dusk.
 
  • NEVER run away from a coyote as you could invoke a chase response.
 
  • Do not feed coyotes, or leave food (including pet food) where they can find it.  Coyotes tend to avoid human contact, but if they associate food with people, they can be conditioned to lose their fear of humans.
 
  • Take all food and food waste out of the park with you.
 
  • If coyotes have been conditioned to lose the fear of humans, they can be taught to regain that fear by "hazing.”  It may take a few repetitions of hazing techniques to be effective, but coyotes are very intelligent, and they will learn that people are best avoided.  Examples of hazing:
 
  • Yell and wave your arms;
 
  • Use noisemakers (e.g. your voice, whistles, air horns, bells, soda cans filled with pennies);
 
  • Use a spray of vinegar and/or water.
 
  • If you are walking with dogs, keep them at your side and leashed.  Do not let dogs run unleashed through the woods. 
 
  • Do not approach a coyote that appears sick or injured as it may respond with unpredictably.  Instead, contact authorities and report its location and appearance.
 
  • In your yard, you may use a water hose as a spray.


If you see a coyote in the Park, even if it is not behaving aggressively, send an email to friendsofbrightwoodpark@gmail.com, so that we can document sightings. Attach a picture, if possible, and identify where you were when the sighting occurred. Explain how the coyote was behaving (approaching or withdrawing), and the makeup of the group you were with (were dogs or children present). This information may help us pin down the location of a den.


For more information, see https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-coyotes

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