[CREDIT: Warwick Animal Shelter] Originally ID’d as black coyotes, now thought to be wolf hybrids, spotted at Brushneck Cove this weekend are acting normally, aren’t a threat, but do require distance and respect, experts reminded people.WARWICK, RI — The Warwick Animal Shelter suspects a popular pair of black canids could be dog- wolf hybrids, but stress directions to avoid approaching or feeding them is a matter of life and death – for the animals.
On April 20, Warwick Animal Shelter reported on its Facebook page that it has received a call from the owners, who claim the animals are wolf-dog hybrids, and that the animals will be tested.
Shelter staffers urged people who are approaching and feeding the animals to stop, because the consequences from a possible bite from one of the animals, while posing the obvious threat of injury for a person, spell a death sentence for the animal.
“More info will be posted as it evolves but PLEASE PLEASE do not try to approach or touch them. Because they are hybrids if they bite someone they will need to be euthanized. Also, do not feed them because this will make it difficult for them to be captured,” Warwick Animal Shelter announced.
The shelter continued on the danger and the illegality of the behavior in detail, with a post titled: Will coyotes be “killed by kindness?”
“People are feeding them. Yesterday we watched lines of cars following them around the loop of roads near the beach. We saw people throwing food at them out of the cars and others crouching with food in hand to coax them to approach and take it.
It is illegal to relocate coyotes in Rhode Island. It is not a legal option for DEM or anyone else to move these coyotes to other parts of RI. If these animals become a danger to people they will likely be lethally removed by authorities.
The best hope is to stop providing them food in any way. Within days they will move on to other parts of their range where they can hunt for natural foods for themselves. Coyotes have territories encompassing at least 3 square miles – this means their range likely includes Buttonwoods, Oakland, and all of Warwick Neck. They are hanging out in Oakland because of easy pickings.”
Warwick Animal Shelter offered the following recommendations:
1. Stop any kind of feeding and remove food attractants from your yards or businesses. Secure all trash, garbage, and compost. No pet food outdoors.
2. Feral cat feeders need to remove all food from ground level or elevate it out of reach of coyotes. Numerous cat-feeding stations around Oakland are likely the reason coyotes originally adopted the area. They will not leave if cat food is available on the ground.
3. If you want these coyotes to survive, don’t feed them. If you don’t want them around, don’t feed them. Help your neighbors to do the same. Report coyote feeding. It is illegal in Warwick.
If people do not feed them or put out any food attractants at all these coyotes will leave. People will still see them once in a while as they pass through on their normal territory patrols. That would be a great outcome compared to the alternative.
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
![[CREDIT: Warwick Animal Shelter] Black coyotes spotted at Brushneck Cove this weekend are acting normally, aren't a threat, but do require distance and respect, experts reminded people.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Warwick-Coyote-pups-WPD-2.jpg)
![[CREDIT: Warwick Animal Shelter] Black coyotes spotted at Brushneck Cove this weekend are acting normally, aren't a threat, but do require distance and respect, experts reminded people.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Warwick-Coyote-pups-WPD-2-336x224.jpg)
