Air Horns As Defense From Coyotes

After a series of coyote attacks this summer and recent confirmation that an attacking coyote was rabid, Westchester County schools are getting ready to make sure their students are safe...with the help of air horns. The Journal News reports, "At the suggestion of [Rye] Police Commissioner William Connors, teachers aides, physical education teachers and security guards will carry air horns when students are outside for activities and during arrival and dismissal, Schools Superintendent Edward Shine said."

Shine explained, "If they see a coyote, they blow the air horn and it frightens (the coyote) off. It's a way to communicate to the coyote that (it) shouldn't be there." Additionally, residents have been told that if they come into contact with a coyote, they should "make loud noises, throw stones, and act aggressively" in order to instill fear into coyotes.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 14, 2010 8:42 AM

Comments [rss]

Guest

"...they should "make loud noises, throw stones, and act aggressively" in order to instill fear into coyotes."

proof -- new yorkers should have no problem dealing with coyotes, at all.

exnyer

I use the same defense for idiot drivers....it works!!

robingee

The coyotes just ordered up some Acme Rocket Skates. You're in trouble now, Westchester.

tien

While on safari in Africa, the lodge I was at had these air horns in the room as a way to call for help. So if it's good enough for lions, elephants, zebras, buffalo, hyenas and baboons, it would probably work for coyotes. Then again, they said it was to call for help, not to scare the animals away.

Kelles

the coyotes are scratching themselves now, thinking 'What Would Wile E. Do?'

Peter

Instead of an air horn, try a Ruger 10/22.

DarkGemini

Just waiting for the "Man with Air Horn viciously attacked by Coyote" headline later this month.

thelexiphane

I think it would be hilarious if Westchester suburban idylls like Rye--where people retreat to in order to escape the rougher edges of the city--became villages whose sonic landscape was constantly punctuated by blasts from air horns sounded by paranoid parents who mistook every deer, squirrel, and off-leash dog for a rabid coyote.