Crime & Safety
Bobcat on Campus? Nope. Suspected Coyotes Spotted at HFCC in Dearborn
Dearborn police alert residents to use caution while on the school's property.
campus safety reported Wednesday that they have spotted what appears to be three coyotes on campus.
HFCC Campus Safety alerted Dearborn Animal Control that there have been several sightings within the past two weeks.
sent out an alert Wednesday morning through their Nixle system saying that a bobcat had possibly been spotted. However, HFCC Campus Safety said that they have gotten a better look, and think that what they're dealing with now is a pack of three coyotes.
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"They come out of the woods periodically," said Campus Safety representative Karen Schoen. "From a distance, it was hard to tell what it was."
Schoen said they hope to have animal control come out to help see what they're dealing with.
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HFCC released a statement on the matter on Wednesday:
"HFCC Campus Safety observed an animal near the wooded area around Kingfisher Bluff at the western edge of campus. This animal has not been positively identified but may be a coyote or bobcat. No reports have been received from individuals using the pathway. The College community has been encouraged to report any future sightings."
Executive Director Elaine Greene said that coyote sightings are not uncommon in Dearborn, and often occur along the Rouge River. She said the most important thing is for residents to know what to do if they see a coyote–or a bobcat, for that matter.
"The basic thing is that if someone sees one, they shouldn’t approach and leave it alone," Greene said. "If it’s trapped or injured, I would contact authorities. I would keep an eye on small pets."
Greene added that coyotes have been known to kill free-roaming pets, and will occasionally do damage to gardens.
However, she said it's unlikely that Dearborn Animal Control would try to trap and remove the animals unless they are causing problems.
"At this point, unless they’re causing some public safety issue, I wouldn’t say to do anything with them," Greene said. "They’re there naturally and they help control vermin populations."
