New London — Residents alarmed by the brazen behavior of at least one large coyote this winter and spring called on city police and Mayor Michael Passero Monday to take action to get rid of the animal.

“We want to know that something’s going to be done,” said Scott Wilson of Penny Lane, one of dozens of residents of the southern half of the city who have reported encounters with the coyote, including it following them while walking their dogs, approaching their porches and showing no fear of humans.

Wilson was one of about 100 people who packed the cafeteria of Nathan Hale School for the meeting called by Passero to hear residents’ concerns and devise a plan of action.

 “We need to get a trapper in here and get on this,” said Lisa Bergman of Pequot Avenue, adding that she feared a child would get bitten.

About 10 days ago, a Glenwood Avenue family told The Day their Chihuahua was killed by the coyote.

“We don’t need education,” said Lisa Darling of Henderson Road. “This animal is out there in broad daylight.” 

Tonya Kloiber, assistant animal control officer, said based on photos she estimates the coyote weighs 45 pounds.

“This is not the first time people in New London have seen a coyote, but people have seen a change this time,” said resident Richard Foye. “This very handsome coyote or half-wolf has the run of the neighborhood.”

Added Brenda Rodriquez of Riverview Avenue: “If he’s not willing to pay taxes, I want him out.”

Acting Police Chief Peter Reichard said the department has received about 40 calls about coyote sightings since the beginning of the year and urged residents to continue calling with specific information about the location and behavior of the animal. One caller saw the coyote on the playground at Harbor School, he said.

“We want to try to find the den,” he said.

Capt. Brian Wright said that if a resident calls 911 about an aggressive coyote, an officer would respond and, if possible, kill the animal.

“If we are called to that location, we will dispatch the animal,” he said.

People at the meeting first heard from Chris Vann, wildlife damage biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection about the rise of coyote nuisance calls to his office over the last 25 years, which he said number 200 to 250 per year across Connecticut. The statewide population, estimated at 3,000 to 5,000 animals, has adapted to living in urban and suburban areas, he said, and can pose a threat to people, especially if they lose their natural fear of humans, he said.

“There have been three documented coyote attacks on humans in Connecticut,” he said. One was a rabid animal, another was a coyote that was being fed at a McDonald’s and bit someone there, and the third was a pet owner trying to save his dog.

“The real threat comes from the food-habituated coyote,” he said. “You do want to err on the side of safety.”

He urged residents to keep their pets indoors and on leashes, remove birdfeeders and pet food from outdoors and keep garbage secured. Passero said there have been recent reports that a resident is feeding the coyote, and that “bad human behavior” should be reported to his office and to police so that it can be stopped.

“If somebody has started feeding it, they’re signing its death warrant,” he said. “We take this problem very seriously.”

Vann said the coyote being seen is a large male probably “on patrol” in the territory around his den, where his mate and pups would be found. DEEP will not trap nuisance coyotes, he said, but will issue a special permit if a landowner or city wants to hire a licensed trapper to kill the animal. Residents said the coyote has been seen on Gardner Avenue, on Admiral Drive and on Glenwood Avenue, among other locations. They offered several suggestions about possible den locations, including Mitchell Woods and an overgrown lot on Pequot Avenue.

Reichard said residents need to provide police with siting information so they can build a map and narrow down possible den locations. In the meantime, he said, the department will distribute coyote safety information through the schools and distributed “coyote safety” signs residents can post on their lawns.

j.benson@theday.com