Residents in the area are being urged to take precautions as coyotes appear to be roaming freely on a more frequent basis.

The Irvington Police Department received multiple calls July 18 at 7:30 p.m. about a coyote on North Broadway. Police found the animal in a ditch but it was acting normally, so it was left alone.

Detective Kevin Johnson said calls about coyotes were placed on three other dates as well last month.

“It’s more scared of us than we are of it,” Johnson said.

In fact, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, when a coyote does not fear people is when it should be considered dangerous. On average nationwide, only a handful of coyote attacks occur each year.

Sleepy Hollow Police Chief John Kapica said his department recently received a call about a baby coyote in the village but officers were unable to find it.

Tarrytown Police Lieutenant William Herguth said coyote sightings were reported as far back as February.

“We had gotten reports back in February up near the hill and the lakes,” he said. “I live in town and I saw one last summer walking down the street about 11 p.m.”

On July 20, an urgent notice was sent to residents of Irvington Garden and Woodbrook Gardens about coyotes that were spotted on the premises over the past few days. Residents were advised by management to be protective of small children outdoors and keep cats inside. Similar notices were issued at other apartment and condominium complexes in the area.

To prevent problems with coyotes, the DEC strongly advises people not to feed coyotes and be aggressive by making loud noises, waving arms and throwing sticks or stones. Garbage should also be made inaccessible to coyotes and other animals.

According to the DEC, coyotes in residential areas quickly learn to associate food with people and problems can occur if people act like prey, like running into the house after seeing a coyote.

Small dogs and cats are viewed by coyotes as easy prey and are at risk of being attacked or killed. Large and medium size dogs overmatch coyotes and the coyote will normally yield the territory to the dog without any confrontation.

Any coyote that attacks a person should be presumed to have rabies and anyone bitten or scratched should seek medical attention immediately. If a coyote appears to be acting strange, dial 911.