For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Groveland Police Alerting Residents to Coyote Incidents

Two Residents Reported Interactions with Aggressive Animal

Should be Considered Dangerous, Rabid

GROVELAND — Police Chief Robert Kirmelewicz reports that the Groveland Police Department is investigating reports of an aggressive coyote harassing residents on Monday evening.

Shortly after 8 p.m. Monday, police responded to two separate coyote encounters with Groveland residents. The first encounter was on Manor Drive, where a man was entering his home, holding his 4-year-old daughter, when a coyote came upon them and bit the man before running off. The resident required emergency medical treatment and was evaluated at a local hospital. The daughter was unharmed.

A short time later a second encounter was reported to Groveland Police. A homeowner on Gardner Street reported an aggressive coyote approached him in an aggressive manner in his yard. The resident had to kick the animal several times before it left the area.

“We are asking all residents to be watchful and when outside use extra care for your safety and the safety of your children and pets,” said Groveland Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen.

Deputy Gillen sent out a Reverse 911 call to Groveland residents on Tuesday morning.

The coyote should be considered rabid and dangerous. Any contact with the animal will require medical attention.

Groveland Police also remind residents of the following:

• Do not leave food outside, as coyotes may be attracted to it
• Do not approach, feed, pet, or try to interact with wildlife, including coyotes, foxes, or other wild animals
• It is always a good idea to have your pets on-leash. Small cats and dogs are vulnerable to predatory attacks by a number of animals.
• Keep an eye on children playing outside
• Do not fire warning shots into the air to try to discourage coyotes from approaching.

Please report any sightings to the Groveland Police Department by calling 911.

Groveland Police are investigating along with the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

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