Officers with the PA Game Commission will be conducting nighttime hunts in Churchill to help reduce the Coyote population in the area.
Churchill Borough Police announced on Facebook Tuesday that after some residents reporting seeing coyotes in their neighborhood, an agreement was made with the Game Commission and the property owner of Churchill Crossings, the old Westinghouse site to hunt the predators.
Police say the nighttime hunts will be conducted by trained Game Warden officers using nigh vision and silenced rifles.
Police add “there is no threat or danger to residents. We are confident that these efforts will be productive and help to eliminate the many threats coyotes pose.”
Coyotes are typically afraid of humans but post a “significant threat” to pets and are one of the top carriers of rabies.
Police warn that residents shouldn’t take matter into their own hands saying:
**Residents should make no attempts of their own to dispatch a coyote with a firearm as it is both prohibited by PA Gaming Laws in residential areas as well as can pose a significant danger to your neighbors. Call 9-1-1 if a coyote is spotted and poses an immediate threat**