Living with Coyotes
From Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)
We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including
experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.
Living with Coyotes
Letter as published on
Lohud.com
May 2, 2018
Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW) - ~
Living with Coyotes
As a result of recent coyote incidents here, we'd like to offer a few
suggestions. We understand there are stressful concerns and we hope this
provides helpful, constructive information:
- An oral rabies vaccine has been distributed in New York City and Long Island
by the Department of Health, which has had great success. Animals are
inoculated to eliminate rabies by vaccine bait. This program should be
adopted in Westchester, especially since its large areas of green space make
it easier to distribute.
- Under normal conditions coyotes are shy. Coyotes have been here for many
years and are rarely seen. They can be playful and affectionate.
- When there is sickness, of course it should be addressed, just like
in people. But rabies in humans in the U.S. is rare. It has been
documented to 2300 BC — all the more reason to utilize education and
vaccines.
- The public is statistically far more likely to be bitten by dogs
than coyotes.
Coyotes are part of a healthy ecosystem; they stop disease by controlling
rodents and insects. Recognizing this, Chicago has welcomed their "coyote
patrol" and New York City has created Wildlife NYC, which states that "City
dwellers take many forms" and offers education about hawks, raccoons and
yes, coyotes.
At an April 25 meeting about coyotes at Greenburgh Town Hall meeting,
valuable information was offered by Frank Vincenti, founder of the Wild Dog
Foundation, and Kevin Clarke, wildlife biologist for the DEC.
Wildlife is everywhere, it's their country too. They are only looking to
live and survive just like we are — and more so as we expand and encroach on
habitats. Coexistence is always the most sensible, ethical strategy.
Urge county officials to utilize and promote vaccine baiting and education
programs.
There are sometimes challenges but if other venues can do it, we can too.
Westchester is up to the task.
Kiley Blackman
Founder of Animal Defenders of Westchester
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