Coyote Reportedly Sighted on Autumn Ridge Road in Fairfield

An Autumn Ridge Road resident reported to Fairfield Animal Control Wednesday that she spotted a coyote in her neighborhood.

The report came in just after 2 p.m. Wednesday. Autumn Ridge Road is off of Easton Turnpike, near the Merritt Parkway (see screenshot attached). 

After the rash of attacks on pets by coyotes last year, Animal Control released the following tips for residents: 

• Feed and keep pets indoors;
• Supervise pets (especially small ones) when outdoors;
• Remove brush that coyotes may hide behind or beneath from your property;
• Dispose of trash appropriately and take other sources of food or prey in your yard into consideration.

In the event your pet is attacked by a coyote: 

•  Do not attempt to break up the incident with your bare hands;
• Make loud noises -- yell, bang on a metal pan, or beep your car horn -- to scare away the coyote;
• Do not handle your pet without wearing latex gloves, and keep your pet contained in the garage or a room of your home, away from other people;
• Call Animal Control at 203-254-4857 or the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4800 to report the attack and contact your veterinarian immediately.