Animal Control

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Coyotes in the Community

Coyote sightings are inevitable throughout Newport. Please use the link below to report sightings and unusual activity.

You may also contact the Newport Police Department at 401-847-1036.  if you feel you are in an emergency situation, call 911 so that Animal Control or a police officer can be dispatched to the area. Please review the listed types of interactions to assist in how best to report.  

TIPS

• • Do not feed coyotes.
• • Do not feed feral animals and other wildlife.
• • Feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outdoors. Store bags of pet food indoors.
• • Always use a secure, sturdy leash when walking your dog. Retractable leashes are not recommended as they tend to jam and can make it difficult for you to protect your pet from a predator.
• • Do not leave small pets (20 pounds or less) outside unattended.
• • Be aware that coyotes are more active in early the spring, when feeding and protecting their young, and in the fall, when they search for additional food sources.
• • If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
• • Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• • Do not put trash cans out the night before the scheduled pick up. Put them out in the morning. Coyotes are intelligent and learn to knock them over to access the contents.
• • Remove sources of water.
• • Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
• • Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, etc.
• • Pick up fallen fruit and avoid open compost piles.
• • Trim ground-level shrubbery and low-level tree branches to reduce hiding places.
• • Close off crawl spaces by installing secured wire mesh.
• •Use Negative Reinforcement Any Time You See a Coyote (Hazing)
  • ° Shouting
  • °  Waving arms
  • ° Throwing rocks
  • ° Squirting it with a water hose
  • ° Blowing portable air horns
  • ° Using noise makers
  • ° Bang pots and pans
  • ° Do not run from the coyote

REPORT A COYOTE SIGHTING OR INTERACTION

When making your coyote report and describing the type of behavior observed, please use these terms as their definition defines them.
 
Sighting only: 
A coyote is seen by a member of the public and exhibits “normal” behavior.  Normal behavior is when the coyote is fearful of human interaction and leaves the area on its own or continues on its way without any interference from humans.  (Online reporting is appropriate for this type of behavior)
 
Bold behavior with humans: 
A coyote is reported to be behaving in a bold, brazen way that exhibits no fear of human interaction. Attempts by a human to haze and scare the coyote fail.  The coyote may stalk or follow an individual. (Online reporting is appropriate when there is a delay in the reporting.   A delay is greater than 15 minutes from observation to the time of reporting.  If the report can be made immediately, please call the police department and request the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer to respond)
 
Active aggressive coyote behavior:
A coyote is reported to be actively chasing, attacking or menacing a human or domestic animal. This includes an injured/sick coyote that is unable to leave the area under its own power.  (Please Call the Police Department to make a report with the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer for this type of behavior)
 
What will the Police Department do with your reporting? 
 
When you report a coyote sighting, the Animal Control Officer (ACO) will maintain and track the location and behavior data of observed coyotes.  By tracking the data, the ACO will be able to target problem areas and focus efforts to areas where there are observations of menacing or high frequency of coyotes.