Police: Aggressive Coyotes Spotted in Mount Pleasant Area

Recent reported coyote sightings in the greater Mount Pleasant area, specifically Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, prompted the town to send out a safety alert today.

"We sent out a message just as a general alert," explained Chief of Police Louis Alagno. "It's not in a particular area—you can find a coyote just about anywhere in Mount Pleasant."

There have been  of Tarrytown, but perhaps the most worrisome to residents have been those in the Edgemont Condo complex on Martling Avenue.

Following a series of sightings in the last three to four months, and repeated attempts by the to track down the animal(s) that flees each time into the surrounding woods, the property manager is in the process of securing a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation to set up some traps.

Jason Braun, property manager, said at first there were reports of four coyotes, then three, then two and now one—still enough to merit the need for traps, though he would not comment further on the matter.

Tarrytown Police Sergeant Frank J. Gianpiccolo said the coyote (or several coyotes) “has been hanging out there making people concerned, but every time we go out there to try to find it, it runs into a wooded area.”

Alagno warned coyotes "will become more active as the weather breaks and they get into breeding season."

The town offered the following tips for coyote safety:

• Do not leave children outside unattended
• Do not leave pets outside unattended
• Do not feed pets outside
• Do not feed any wildlife or stray animals

If you see a coyote, contact your local police department.