🐺 Coyotes are now common in all 21 New Jersey counties, including suburbs once thought too crowded for wildlife.

🚨 Encounters are rising, sparking fear among pet owners after several attacks on dogs and cats.

⚠️ Officials urge calm but caution, advising residents on how to safely coexist with these clever predators.

If you see an animal with large, pointed ears and a long bushy tail lingering on the edge of your property, there is a good chance it is a coyote.

For the last 30 years, coyote sightings have been on the rise in New Jersey — including in more densely populated parts of the Garden State.

Highly tolerant of human activities and an opportunistic feeder, coyotes are of concern to pet owners and parents of small children.

Do we have a reason to fear coyotes in New Jersey?

Keep reading to discover the history of the coyote in the Garden State and what to do if you see one.

🌿 The wild comeback: How coyotes arrived in New Jersey

Are coyotes native to New Jersey?

No. They are not.

According to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife:
“The coyote extended its range north and east across Canada from the mid-west. DNA studies of the species show that those coyotes bred with gray wolves, emerged into the New England states, and have extended their range south through New Jersey.”

The first documented sighting occurred near Lambertville, Hunterdon County, in 1939 — a “long, bushy-tailed animal” that puzzled residents. The preserved specimen is now displayed at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.

📍 Coyote sightings in every NJ county

Coyotes have now been spotted in all 21 counties and in more than 400 municipalities — covering 94% of New Jersey’s land area.

Their adaptable nature allows them to thrive everywhere, from Pine Barrens forests to suburban neighborhoods and even city edges.

Population estimates exceed 3,000 and continue to climb as sightings increase in residential zones.

🐕 When coyotes and pets collide

While coyote attacks on humans are rare, pets are more vulnerable.

Cats — particularly outdoor or feral ones — are more frequently targeted.

However, in the span of just a few weeks, five separate coyote attacks have been reported in Bergen County.  At least two humans were bitten.  Two pets have been killed.

Prior to those attacks, the last known human attack was in 1999 when a Boonton Township woman was bitten while trying to protect her dogs.

🔒 How to protect your family and pets from coyotes

Experts say there’s no need to panic — but precautions matter.
NJ Fish & Wildlife recommends:

❎ Never feed coyotes or leave pet food outdoors.

❎ Bring pets inside at night.

❎ Secure garbage and remove fallen fruit or water sources.

❎ Make loud noises to scare coyotes away if they approach.

Although rare, coyotes can be bold — so residents are encouraged to report aggressive behavior to local authorities or the DEP hotline (877-WARN-DEP).

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