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Residents describe repeated coyote encounters, urge village action plan
Summary
Multiple residents told the DEC and Irvington officials they feel unsafe after backyard sightings and one reported pet losses; speakers pressed for a concrete action plan beyond coexistence and asked for more active measures.
At a public meeting hosted by Irvington officials, residents described repeated close encounters with coyotes in yards and on Main Street and urged village leaders to propose a concrete action plan. Susan Glickster said, "My dog is 18 pounds, never off leash. Okay? But every time I have to take him out at night to pee at 10:30, I am terrified," describing sightings near Mercy College and playgrounds.
Ann Myers, who said she previously introduced herself, told officials she does not oppose nature but wants measures that protect neighbors: "I'm not suggesting you go out and kill them, but we you need an action plan more than coexistence," she said, calling for stronger local steps to reduce risk to people and pets. Several speakers recounted pets threatened in yards and social-media posts showing coyotes on neighborhood streets.
Residents voiced particular concern for small dogs and children and asked officials whether the village could commission local surveys, contract licensed trappers, or expand public-education and enforcement around attractants. Irvington officials and DEC staff said reporting is important to identify problem individuals and that any removal typically requires evidence of nuisance or danger; biologists encouraged community-wide attractant-reduction and hazing programs as the most practical city-level measures now available.
