Aggressive Wildlife Alert – Coyote Attack in Woodcliff Lake- Dog Walker Attacked – Use Caution! More info @ 
On Monday 10/20/25 a dog walker was attacked by a coyote in their backyard and suffered several bite wounds. Use Caution!
There have been many sightings of coyotes and black bears in our area recently. Most of the time they're just looking for food.
PLEASE DO NOT FEED the bears or coyotes. This makes these animals lose their natural fear of humans when they associate humans with meals.
If you see wildlife that appears sick or acts aggressive towards humans, notify the police department. Below are some tips from the State of NJ regarding coyotes and bears.
Coyote Precautions
https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/coyote/
The following guidelines can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes:
Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk. · Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats. · Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over. · Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates. · Bring pets in at night. · Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey. · Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals. · Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles. Past interbreeding between wolves and coyotes may be responsible for the larger size and color variations in the eastern coyote.
Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards. · Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house. · Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings – this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles. · If coyotes are present, make sure they know they’re not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.
If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact your local police and the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-8793; outside of normal business hours call the DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP.
Bear Activity- Saddle River & Surrounding Areas!
Recently there has been a increase in Black Bears roaming around in northern Bergen County. Most of the time they are just looking for someting to eat. Below are some tips from the State of NJ on how to deal with the increased bear activity in our area.
Avoid Attracting Bears
Black bears are attracted by odors from potential food sources created by people. Carefully controlling these sources of food and associated odors can help prevent black bears from being attracted to people’s property and teaching them to associate people with food.
Residents can take simple, practical precautions to avoid attracting black bears and to discourage the animals from becoming a nuisance. Learn more about what you can do to prevent bear encounters at your home, in your municipality, on your farm and while camping and hiking by visiting the following pages.
https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/prevent-bear-damage/
Bear Encounters
Black bears by nature tend to be wary of people. However, if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips.
DON’T- Do not feed bears.
- Do not approach bears. Especially feeding bears, which will aggressively defend their food.
- Do not run from bears. Running may trigger a chase response.
- Do not make direct eye contact. Bears may perceive this as a challenge.
- Remain calm and slowly back away.
- Make the bear aware of you.
- Be loud: speak in an assertive voice, yell, sing, or clap your hands. If available, bang pots and pans or use an airhorn.
- Make yourself look big.Wave your arms. Hold your jacket above your head.
- If you’re in a group, stay together and perform these actions together.
- Make sure the bear has an escape route. If a bear enters your home, prop all the doors open.
- If the bear doesn’t leave, move to a secure area.
- If your family lives in an area frequented by black bears, create a “Bear Plan” for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.
- Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back! Aim for the snout and/or eyes. Use anything at hand: (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or kick the bear).
- -Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
- The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
- If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
- Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
- https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/bear-encounters/
Homeowner Facts
New Jersey residents, especially those in areas frequented by black bears, should take steps to avoid attracting bears with food or garbage. This is the best way to prevent black bears from becoming a nuisance near your home.
Some residents may observe black bears using yards as part of their natural travel corridors. The mere presence of a black bear is not considered a problem. Generally, bears tend to be wary of people. It is important not to leave out any food or garbage that may encourage bears to linger in residential areas. One person feeding bears can create a problem bear that may affect the entire neighborhood.
Black bears learn very quickly and bears that are fed intentionally or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage will associate people with food. Bears will eat almost anything including human food, garbage, pet food, birdseed and small livestock. Once they find an easily accessible food source, like garbage in a housing development, they will lose their wariness of people and may return to the available food source. These bears can become a nuisance or aggressive and may have to be trapped and aversively conditioned or destroyed.
https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears/bear-facts-for-homeowners/
Address/Location
Saddle River NJ Police
83 E Allendale Rd
Saddle River, NJ 07458
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 201-327-5300