Piscataway Police Say Dog Was Mauled By Coyote, Warn Residents About Sightings

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Piscataway, New Jersey, are warning residents about recent coyote sightings.

In one incident, a small dog was mauled, reports CBS2's Scott Rapoport.

"It's pretty bad," said resident Joe Bellamy. "It's pretty aggressive for a coyote."

There have been sightings near Wynnwood Avenue and Possumtown Road, police said in a Facebook post Wednesday.

"It's pretty scary because I have a little Yorky, a 5-pounder," said Robin Bellamy. "It makes me nervous to let him out of the house."

Back in mid-November, police at nearby Rutgers University say there was a coyote sighting and a report that someone was bitten by a coyote near the Livingston campus.

Any residents who see a coyote acting aggressively or unusually should call police at (732) 562-1100 and avoid approaching the animal.