Suburban NY police tell residents to avoid hybrid coyote

CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) - Police are cautioning residents to stay away from a large hybrid coyote that’s been wandering around a New York City suburb.

WCBS says the animal in Rockland County is part coyote and part wolf - known as a “coywolf.”

The “coywolf” is larger than most coyotes - up to 75 pounds. They have different coloring, with more gray in their coats.

Experts say people who encounter a coywolf should make a lot of noise and wave their arms to make themselves seem bigger.

Clarkstown police say they would summon a licensed trapper or even shoot the animal if it were acting aggressively.

Otherwise, it will likely just go back into the woods.

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Information from: WCBS-TV, http://www.cbs2ny.com