Officials Warn Rutgers Students of Wild Coyote

According to nbcnewyork.com, officials at Rutgers University are warning students and faculty that an aggressive coyote has approached humans on at least 2 occasions over the last week.

NBCnewyork.com says the reported incidents have happened on or around the Livingston campus, with the most recent encounter taking place on Monday night at around 7:30pm.

Police told nbcnewyork.com that Monday night's victim "was walking on Road 3 near Suttons Lane when the coyote approached him from behind and bit his left pant leg.  The animal immediately released his grip on the clothing and fled."

According to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, these are precautions you should take to avoid a confrontation with a coyote:

• Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.
• Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
• Bring pets in at night.
• Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
• Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
• Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
• Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings - this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles.
• If coyotes are present, make sure they know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.