Residents of Irvington, New York, are divided over how to address a recent series of encounters with a coyote that has posed a threat to people and pets in the village. The animal reportedly came dangerously close to a toddler and attacked a small dog earlier this month, prompting police to issue a public warning to remain vigilant.

The incidents occurred on June 12 in the suburban community along the Hudson River, home to roughly 6,500 people. Jia Altman recounted an encounter in which the coyote approached her three-year-old son as he played outside on a tricycle. “It took me a second to register, like, ‘OK, this is not good. This is something dangerous,’” she said. Despite attempts to scare the animal away by yelling and swinging the bike, it remained unflinching until Altman’s dog intervened and caused the coyote to retreat.

Soon after, the coyote entered a neighboring yard by digging underneath a fence and attacked a small rescue dog named Becky. Erin Reddy, the dog’s owner, described how the coyote grabbed her pet by the neck before ultimately releasing it and fleeing. Both Altman and Reddy expressed frustration with what they perceive as insufficient action by village authorities in response to these close calls.

In the wake of the incidents, local law enforcement cautioned residents to keep children and pets under close supervision. Professional wildlife trapper Jim Horton emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating, “Pets and children, don’t leave them unattended.”

A petition circulating in Irvington has gathered over 330 signatures and urges the village to hire a wildlife trapper to remove the animal, reflecting some residents’ demand for prompt intervention. However, the issue has sparked debate within the community. Some residents argue that human behavior, rather than the coyote itself, is at fault. One commenter on social media contended, “Irresponsible humans are the problem, not wild animals, start holding people accountable!”

The village faces the challenge of balancing public safety concerns with perspectives advocating for coexistence with the local wildlife. Officials have yet to announce a definitive plan for handling the coyote, highlighting the tension within the community over how best to address the situation.