Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — New Englanders are no stranger to coyote sightings, but MassWildlife encouraged people to be extra wary of them this time of year as we enter mating season.
Mating season is from late January to early March, and coyotes can be territorial during this time. And some residents in Plymouth said they’ve been seeing them with more regularity.
“In the past, it’s been like one [coyote] at a time you’ll see like one scurrying around, but [it] was a group of four of them,” Lauren added. “I saw a coyote near the basketball courts over here,” said another Plymouth resident.
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Coyotes can pose a particular threat to pets because “they cannot tell the difference between natural prey and small pets,” according to MassWildlife.
MassWildlife says to always keep your pet on a leash when out for walks and to never let them wander on their own.
If you do encounter a coyote however, Mass Wildlife advises people to stand their ground and make loud noises to scare it away.
Mass Wildlife notes that “negative encounters with coyotes are rare and human-coyote attacks are exceptionally rare.”
“If you encounter a coyote that is exhibiting concerning behavior like approaching leashed pets, closely following people, or not running off when effectively hazed, you should contact your local Animal Control Officer or local MassWildlife office for assistance. If there is an immediate threat to public safety, call local law enforcement,” MassWildlife said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.