There have been a number of reports of aggressive coyotes and a few reports of attacks on small dogs within Natick.  PLEASE KEEP ALL dogs and cats on a leash with someone at the other end of the leash.  DO NOT leave any small pet outside unattended.

If a coyote is observed that shows no fear of humans, is exhibiting aggressive or rabid-like behavior, or if a coyote attacks a person or small house pet, contact the police department immediately at at 508-647-9500.

Here's a overview list of tips for keeping coyotes away from your home.  A complete list of tips follows below.

• Keep your pets secure (on a leash), particularly small pets that are a potential food source
• Keep bird feeder areas clean as the seeds attract small animals on which they prey
• Secure your garbage in barrels with tight fitting lids
• Feed your pets indoors
• Don't let them intimidate you and don't hesitate to scare or threaten them off with loud noises, bright lights, throwing a tennis ball, blowing a whistle or spraying them with a garden hose
• Remove any fallen fruit from around fruit trees
• Educate your neighbors on the steps they can take

Tracking Coyote Sightings
Coyote sightings can be tracked by filling out this form (Coyote Sightings).  Each sighting will be recorded and labeled with the date of the reported sighting.  Please note that reporting a sighting using this form does NOT initiate a police response.  To report a threat or obtain police assistance, please call the Natick Police dept. 24 hours a day at 508-647-9500.  

Coyote Safety Information

Coyotes are not nocturnal and it is common to see them running through neighborhoods or down streets, utilizing these corridors to get from one wooded area to another. They wish to avoid people, and once your presence is detected they will leave the area. If you encounter an animal that is an immediate threat to people or acting sick or abnormal, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately so an officer can be sent to evaluate and take any necessary action. Coyotes taking pets are not considered an immediate threat to human safety, therefore ACO's and municipal police departments are not authorized to remove these wild animals.

The following information from coyote biologists and MA Wildlife is to help you understand how to prevent conflicts and keep your pets safe. I can not stress enough the importance of keeping cats indoors and dogs leashed or close to you under your direct supervision in the yard.

Coyotes are currently well established throughout the state from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. They thrive in suburban and urban areas close to people. 

Coyotes eat many different foods, including small animals, fruits, vegetables, garbage, and pet food. Remember everything a coyote does is related to a potential meal. 

Here are a few suggestions to make your property less attractive to coyotes:

Don't let coyotes intimidate you
Don't hesitate to scare or threaten coyotes with loud noises and bright lights. Don't hesitate to pick up small objects, such as a tennis ball, and throw them at the coyote. If a water hose is close at hand, spray the coyote with water in the face. Let the coyote know it is unwelcome in your area.

Secure garbage
Coyotes will raid open trash materials and compost piles. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight fitting lids and keep in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost piles in containers designed to contain but vent the material.

Don't feed or try to pet coyotes
Keep wild things wild. Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause coyotes to act tame and over time may lead to bold behavior. Coyotes that rely on natural food items remain wild and wary of humans.

Keep your pets safe
Although free roaming pets are more likely to be killed by automobiles than by wild animals, coyotes do view cats and small dogs as potential food and larger dogs as competition. For the safety of your pets, keep them restrained at all times.

Feed pets indoors
Outdoor feeding attracts many wild animals to your door.

Keep bird feeding areas clean
Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground as the seed attracts many small mammals that coyotes prey upon. Remove feeders if coyotes are regularly seen around your yard.

Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds
Coyotes use such areas for resting and raising young.

Cut back brushy edges in your yard
These areas provide cover for coyotes and their prey.

Protect livestock and produce
Coyotes will prey upon livestock. Techniques, such as fencing, will protect livestock from predation. Clear fallen fruit from around fruit trees.

Educate your neighbors
Pass this information along since your efforts will be futile if neighbors are providing food or shelter for coyotes.