The Edgartown Police Department is encouraging pet owners to keep a watchful eye after a dog was bitten by a coyote last week.
Edgartown police Chief Chris Dolby said the owners witnessed the coyote attack their dog on Jernegan Pond Road. The dog is recovering from injuries and undergoing precautionary rabies protocol.
The incident is being investigated by the state Environmental Police but Mr. Dolby said there’s no search.
Coyotes are not native to the Island but sometimes swim from Cape Cod or the Elizabeth Islands. Mr. Dolby said the last time a coyote was reported to the department was about a year ago.
“A homeowner kind of in the same area had reported seeing a coyote chasing her dog one evening,” Mr. Dolby said.
Island environmentalists are concerned that coyote sightings could become more frequent as habitat loss makes them seek new terrain.
The police department is encouraging residents to secure their garbage, keep the surrounding area of bird feeders clean and close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds to keep coyotes away from their property. If a coyote comes near, the department said not to feed or pet them and to scare them off with loud noises and bright lights.
If a coyote or any wild animal displays aggressive behavior or appears to be sick, Mr. Dolby said to call the department’s non-emergency number 508-627-4343 or the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 800-632-8075.
