By Keith Levine, Lawrence Township health officer
Lawrence Township is fortunate to have an abundance of parks, wooded areas, streams, and open spaces that contribute to the character and beauty of our community. These natural areas are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, raccoons, groundhogs, and, on rare occasions, black bears. Most of us enjoy seeing these animals from a distance and appreciate the balance they bring to our local ecosystem.
Recently, the Township responded to a tragic incident in which a small dog was killed by another animal in a park adjacent to heavily wooded areas. Although the specific animal involved could not be definitively identified, the event serves as an important reminder that we share our community with wildlife. While such incidents are extremely uncommon, they underscore the importance of understanding how to coexist safely with the animals that share our environment.
Fortunately, negative encounters between people, pets, and wildlife remain very rare. Wild animals generally avoid human contact and prefer to retreat rather than confront people. Most interactions occur because an animal is startled, protecting its young, searching for food, or unexpectedly encountering a pet. The good news is that there are simple precautions residents can take to greatly reduce the likelihood of these encounters.
One of the most important steps is maintaining close control of pets whenever they are outdoors. Keeping dogs on a standard-length leash allows owners to react quickly if wildlife is nearby. Extended or retractable leashes can allow pets to wander well ahead of or behind their handlers, sometimes into wooded areas or tall vegetation where wildlife may be resting or traveling. A pet several yards away may encounter danger before its owner is even aware of the situation.
Pet owners should also remain aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking near wooded areas, streams, fields, or other natural habitats. Wildlife is often most active in the early morning, at dusk, and overnight. While daytime sightings certainly occur, these periods generally present the greatest opportunity for wildlife activity.
Small pets deserve special attention because they may be viewed as prey by larger predators. Whenever possible, keep small dogs close to you and avoid allowing them to roam near dense vegetation or wooded edges.
Residents can also help discourage wildlife from frequenting neighborhoods by eliminating food sources. Never intentionally feed wild animals. Secure garbage containers with tight-fitting lids, remove outdoor pet food after feeding, clean barbecue
grills, and pick up fallen fruit beneath trees. Bird feeders, while enjoyable, can also attract squirrels, raccoons, deer, and occasionally larger predators that follow smaller animals into residential areas.
If you encounter wildlife, remain calm. Do not approach or attempt to feed the animal. Give it plenty of space and allow it an opportunity to leave the area. If walking a dog, calmly shorten the leash, keep your pet close, and slowly move away without running. Running may encourage some animals to chase.
Coyotes, one of the species occasionally seen in Lawrence Township, are naturally wary of people. If a coyote does not immediately move away, wildlife experts recommend making yourself appear larger by standing tall, waving your arms, speaking loudly, clapping, or making other loud noises. This behavior, known as ‘hazing,’ reinforces the animal’s natural fear of humans and helps prevent coyotes from becoming comfortable around people. Never corner or attempt to approach a coyote, particularly if it appears injured or is accompanied by pups.
Foxes are another common resident of suburban communities. Despite frequent sightings, foxes rarely pose a threat to people and are generally shy, solitary animals. Healthy foxes are beneficial because they help control rodent populations and usually avoid human interaction whenever possible.
It is also important to remember that seeing wildlife does not necessarily indicate a public safety emergency. Animals such as deer, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls naturally move throughout our community as they travel between wooded habitats. Their presence alone does not mean they have become aggressive or present an ongoing threat. Most sightings are simply evidence of the healthy natural environment that surrounds our neighborhoods.
When the Township becomes aware of wildlife-related incidents, officials evaluate the available facts to determine whether there is an identifiable and ongoing threat to public safety. Emergency notifications are reserved for situations where immediate community action is necessary to protect people from a continuing danger. More commonly, the appropriate response is to educate residents about wildlife behavior and practical safety measures.
Lawrence Township remains committed to providing residents with accurate information and practical guidance whenever wildlife issues arise. By understanding animal behavior, respecting their natural habitat, and exercising reasonable precautions, we can continue to enjoy the many benefits of living in a community where nature remains an important part of our landscape.
Our parks and open spaces are among Lawrence Township’s greatest assets. Sharing them responsibly – with an appreciation for both their beauty and the wildlife that calls them home – helps ensure they remain safe and enjoyable for everyone, including our families, our pets, and the wildlife itself.
