Reports of coyotes in or near the Village of New Glarus are prompting fresh questions about what they mean for residents, pets and public safety. Several examples have surfaced recently, including a reported sighting last week on the north side of the village near the intersection of Second Street and Second Avenue, repeated sightings near Veterans Memorial Park, and repeated reports from residents who say they hear packs of coyotes howling after dusk and again before daybreak.

For many residents, the concern is not hard to understand. Coyotes seen near homes, parks and walking routes can raise fears about small pets, children playing outside, rabies or other diseases, and what might happen if the animals become increasingly comfortable around people. Even when no attack has occurred, repeated sightings and nighttime howling can leave people feeling that the animals are moving closer to the center of village life and becoming a more immediate concern than a simple wildlife sighting on the outskirts.