To the Mayor and Village Board of Irvington, New York:

We are calling on the Village of Irvington to reconsider its plans to trap and kill coyotes and instead invest in humane, science-based wildlife management that protects both residents and wildlife.

On October 19, 2026, Irvington police shot a coyote near Mercy University. The injured animal escaped into the woods and was not recovered. Following this incident and other reported coyote encounters, the village announced that it had received authorization from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for the trapping and killing of coyotes.

While we understand the importance of public safety, killing coyotes is not an effective long-term solution.

Coyotes are territorial animals. When established coyotes are removed, their territories become available for other coyotes to move into. Removing coyotes without addressing the underlying causes of conflict, including food attractants and habituation to humans, can create an ongoing cycle of removal and recolonization.

Coyotes will continue to live in Irvington, regardless of how many are removed. The question is whether we choose to manage these encounters responsibly or continue relying on methods that fail to address the actual problem.

We are asking the Village of Irvington to:

• Suspend plans for trapping and killing of coyotes and prioritize nonlethal management whenever public safety allows.
• Implement a community education program teaching residents how to safely haze coyotes, prevent habituation, and reduce attractants.
• Provide local law enforcement with additional training on coyote behavior, humane response techniques, and appropriate intervention.
• Consult with experienced wildlife professionals to develop a long-term coexistence plan based on scientific evidence.

Cottontail Cottage Wildlife Rehab, a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization serving Westchester County, has offered to assist the village with public education and law enforcement training. That offer remains open.

We recognize that encounters involving aggressive coyotes must be taken seriously. However, responding to individual threats should not mean killing wildlife throughout the community.

We urge Irvington’s elected officials to work toward a safer, more compassionate future for residents and wildlife alike.

Coyotes are part of our local ecosystem. They’re not going anywhere so it’s time we learned how to coexist with them.

Please sign this petition to encourage Irvington to choose education, prevention, and humane wildlife management over killing.