Police say coyote on the prowl

Contributed photo/Houlton Police Department
ON THE PROWL — The Houlton Police Department is cautioning residents to be on the lookout for a coyote, spotted by numerous people in the Washburn Street areas.  Police are asking the public to report any sightings of the animal immediately to law enforcement at 532-2287.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Is there a coyote on the prowl in Houlton?
    According to complaints received by the Houlton Police Department, it certainly seems to be the case. Houlton Police fielded several reports on Dec. 17 of a coyote spotted in the area of Pleasant, Charles and Elm streets. The first report came into the HPD at 11:10 a.m.
    At 5:50 p.m. on the same day, police received another call to report the animal being seen in the area of the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Water Street.
    On Dec. 20, at 6:28 p.m. the department received a call from a Washburn Street resident reporting the coyote in her yard. The complainant took a photograph of the animal.
    “Coyotes are nocturnal and afraid of humans which makes them generally hard to observe,” said Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin. “Where this coyote is displaying no fear of humans and being seen during daylight hours is of particular concern. The coyote appears to be healthy and at least a year old.
    Asselin said the coyote poses a potential threat to pets and people.
    People should not leave food out for the animal in the hope that they might be able to observe or get a photograph of it,” he said. “I have been in contact with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the department’s Animal Control Officer. Because of the threat the coyote poses to the public, police have no alternative, but to safely dispatch (shoot) the animal when we come in contact with it.”
    Police are asking the public to report any sightings of the animal immediately to law enforcement at 532-2287.