Brentwood Police: Some Neighborhoods Seeing Increase In Coyote Sightings

From the City of Brentwood:

February 3, 2021

The Brentwood Police Department is aware of some recent neighborhoods seeing an increase in coyote sightings. Officers will only respond to a call of a wild animal if it involves a sick or injured animal or unusual animal behavior that could be threatening to people. The police department will not shoot a coyote. The discharge of a weapon would be more of a threat to the safety of the public than the animal itself.

Steps to minimize coyotes close to your home:

• Do not feed wild animals like coyotes.
• Do not leave left over pet food outside.
• Do not over feed birds, as birdseed attract small animals like rodents, which in turn attract the coyotes.
• Keep garbage in tight fitting containers.
• Enclose or remove compost and wood piles from your yard.
• Keep your yard clean of debris.
• Keep your grass cut and trees and shrubs cut back.
• Keep all cats and small animals indoors for safety.

For more information on urban coyotes, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. If you have questions, you may contact the TWRA office in Nashville at (615)781-6622. To report a sick or injured animal or unusual animal behavior call the Brentwood Police Department non-emergency number at (615) 371-0160.

This press release was produced by the City of Brentwood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.