NBC

Coyote Sightings Continue to Concern Some New London Residents

Some New London residents are again voicing concerns about coyotes lurking in their yards or near their pets on the south end of the city.

"It’s little bit unnerving because they don’t seem to be frightened of us," said Vickie Videll, who lives on Lower Boulevard.

Coyotes frequent the woods that surround her yard and Videll thinks people need to be on alert.

"That’s a little scary at night or at dusk when they seem to be very active and my motion detector lights are going on all the time," Videll said.

She took a picture over the summer of three coyotes in her backyard and said she called the city about the sighting.

Videll also mentioned recent talks about coyotes on an online neighborhood forum.

Lori Rembetski, who also lives on Lower Boulevard, said these coyotes are bold. She was walking with her dog Tuesday night when she saw one in Videll’s yard. Her dog wanted to chase it and said the coyote just slowly sauntered away. 

"It’s only a matter of time before the coyotes decide that they don’t really care and they’re going to come after him," Rembetski said.

In the last two years there have been at least two reported coyote-related dog deaths, along with other animal attacks in New London.

In April 2017, the city had a wildlife biologist from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection address community concerns.

New London police and Bennie Dover Jackson Middle Schoolers went door to door with informational fliers and lawn signs about coyote safety. 

Police Chief Peter Reichard said their last coyote complaint was made in February of this year.

If it does become a widespread concern, Reichard said police have information on coyote safety on their website and they can re-distribute informational fliers, too.

Several neighbors on Lower Boulevard said they haven’t seen the animals nor are they concerned about it. 

"I don’t think they are after humans. I think they are doing what they do naturally and looking for food," Carol Rogovin.

NBC Connecticut reached out to DEEP. A spokesperson sent information from their website that warns people to never feed coyotes, which includes leaving food out. It also mentions to not let pets run free, especially small pets.

Contact Us