A Westchester community is on alert after a family says they were chased into their home by a coyote.
Six-year-old Bronte Doucette of Tarrytown, N.Y., was heading to school a little over a week ago with her mother in the morning when they spotted the coyote they say was nearly as tall as the girl.
"I was standing right here and I only saw the tail," the little girl said. "I ran, then I went behind the door right like this."
The mother and daughter got inside before the coyote could catch them.
"I think the coyote perceived the running as some sort of prey, and it actually started to chase her," said Doucette's stepfather, Jeremy Boardman.
Doucette said she knows not to run next time if she spots a coyote again. The girl now has a homemade noisemaker and a baseball bat in case of another coyote sighting.
Police said there have been a number of coyote sightings in the area, with nine so far this month.
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The Edgecombe condominium complex where the Boardman family lives has passed out flyers advising people to stay alert. It has hired a wildlife control company to set up traps in the area.
"That makes me nervous hearing that," said neighbor Aaron Schmidt. "I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for these animals."
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