Dear Mayor, Village Trustees, and Village Administrator,

We, the undersigned residents of Irvington, are writing to express our support for immediate action regarding a Coyote that has exhibited aggressive behavior within our residential neighborhoods.

The Incidents:  On Friday, June 12, during the afternoon hours, there were multiple sightings of an adult coyote moving through the residential areas between Halsey Pond and the Reservoir, including Lewis, Leafwood, Park, and Palliser Roads (actual animal pictured below).

One of the first reported encounters occurred on the Leafwood cul-de-sac, where the coyote approached a toddler riding a bicycle in his driveway. The child's mother, who was nearby, picked up her son and attempted to drive the animal away by swinging the bicycle toward it. With the assistance of the family's 70-pound dog, the coyote eventually retreated. While no physical injuries occurred, the encounter was alarming and raised concerns about the animal's unusual lack of fear around people.

Shortly thereafter, a small dog was attacked in a fenced backyard on Lewis Road, sustaining sixteen serious puncture wounds to the neck. The coyote held the dog by the throat for approximately five minutes while the owners intervened by screaming and throwing objects in an effort to drive the animal away. The 11-pound Maltipoo, Becky, survived the attack and is expected to make a full recovery.

The State Recommendation:  Since the incident, Greenburgh Animal Control has reviewed multiple videos of the coyote provided by residents and determined that the animal appears to be a healthy adult Coyote rather than a sick or rabid animal. Greenburgh Animal Control has also involved the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which has reportedly recommended that the Village engage a licensed trapper to safely capture and remove the animal.

Safety Concerns for our Families:  Our concern is not simply the presence of Coyotes, which are a natural part of life in Westchester County. Rather, it is the behavior of a specific animal that has demonstrated an unusual willingness to approach people and attack a domestic pet in a residential setting, and which has reportedly returned to the same neighborhood multiple times following the incident.

Many Irvington families regularly walk dogs, use neighborhood parks, and allow children to play outdoors. While wildlife encounters are expected, aggressive encounters of this nature raise legitimate concerns for public safety and quality of life.

We respectfully request that the Village:

• Review and publicly communicate the recommendations received from Greenburgh Animal Control and the Department of Enviromental Conservation (DEC).

• Engage a licensed wildlife trapper, as recommended, to address this specific animal. A qualified trapper has already been identified and is preparing a cost estimate for this work. We believe the Village should assume responsibility for funding these services in the interest of public safety.

• Provide residents with clear guidance regarding Coyote activity, reporting procedures, and safety precautions.

We appreciate the work of our Village staff, police officers, animal control professionals, and state wildlife officials. We believe that addressing this matter promptly and proactively is in the best interest of residents, pets, and the broader community.

Respectfully,

Erin & Pranay Reddy

The Undersigned Residents of Irvington