Ridgefield Cops Tackle Aggressive Coyote After Local Bite

According to the Ridgefield Police Department, a scary situation involving an aggressive coyote earlier this month has officially been handled — but it’s also a good reminder that wildlife activity ramps up this time of year in Connecticut.

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Police say they were first alerted on January 10 after a local resident was bitten by a coyote. Not long after that, additional reports started coming in about the same animal behaving aggressively in the area between Farmingville Road and Haviland Road. Clearly, this wasn’t just a quick sighting or a coyote passing through.

By January 14, Ridgefield Animal Control Officer Zulkeski was able to locate the coyote, safely contain it, and ultimately put it down. Officers from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection assisted with the investigation. Big credit where it’s due — this was handled quickly and professionally, and it likely prevented more people or pets from getting hurt.

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Here’s the important context piece: January through March is coyote mating season in our area. During this time, coyotes are more active, more visible, and more likely to behave in ways that feel bold or aggressive. They can also view dogs of any size as competition or a threat, which is where problems tend to start.

If you’ve got pets, especially dogs, this is the time to be extra cautious. Keep them leashed, even in your own yard if it isn’t fully fenced. Don’t leave them outside unattended, particularly at night or early in the morning. And if you do see a coyote, don’t panic — but don’t be passive either. Make yourself look bigger, make noise, and encourage it to move along.

Ridgefield PD also wants residents to remember that not every coyote sighting is an emergency. Seeing a healthy animal in the woods or crossing a field is part of living in a town like ours. That said, you should absolutely call police or animal control if there’s direct contact with a person or pet, if the animal appears injured or sick, or if it’s showing unprovoked aggression toward people.

Bottom line: wildlife belongs here, just like we do. Staying aware — especially during mating season — helps keep everyone safe, both two-legged and four-legged.