From the Eastham Natural Resources Facebook page:

As coyotes have been the talk of town, Natural Resources is sharing a message from Eastham’s Animal Control Officer. If you would like more information, updates on progress, or have questions, please contact Animal Control directly at (774) 801-0502.

The Department is aware of five coyotes that have various progressions of mange, one of which has a more severe case than the rest. The coyotes have been monitored for a few months and will continue to be monitored, with attempts to catch the ones with the most severe cases of mange by means of net or catch pole (trapping is illegal for Animal Control, rehabbers, and the public). Monitoring and attempts to catch and bring coyotes for treatment/rehabilitation are done in consultation with Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable, and with biologists at Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

DO NOT FEED THE COYOTES!! This is for both human and animal safety. We have been combatting an issue with people attempting to feed coyotes with mange. This is unsafe for humans, and pets, as it may result in a bite or contact with rabies vector species. If there is a suspected contact between a person and a coyote, then the animal will be euthanized to be tested.

Again, DO NOT FEED!! It is also unsafe for the animals because the food has drawn the animals to regularly be in or near the road, is not a healthy diet for a wild animal, and results in the spread of mange. Putting food out for wild animals attracts both sick and healthy animals. Since these feeding efforts have taken place, mange has spread to other coyotes in the community (mange spreads through contact/animals using the same area regularly). If animals are fed by humans, they are also unlikely to be candidates for rehab because either 1) they will be euthanized to be tested based on assumed contact, or 2) they are highly likely to bite someone once habituated to receiving food and are a public safety risk.

From Mass Wildlife:
“Trapping and the distribution of medication have the potential to lead to the spread of disease, the habituation of wildlife, and the poisoning of non-target individuals and species and therefore are not permissible…

It is illegal for anyone, wildlife rehabilitators, animal control officers, or the general public to distribute any form of medication to free-ranging wildlife for any reason. It would also be illegal for a veterinarian to provide medication for said purpose. This would include giving Ivermectin to wildlife in an attempt to treat mange, which is often suggested when the public discusses animals with mange that they want to help. This is expressly prohibited…

In order to treat an animal heavily infected with mange they need much more [medication], but in specific doses so as not to poison them. This is not possible for a free-ranging animal.

Coyotes do have the ability to recover from mange on their own. The best long-term solution to dealing with the persistent mange in our fox and coyote populations is to eliminate human-associated foods around our communities and end all intentional feeding of wildlife.”

Attempting to medicate in the wild could result in death of the coyotes(s), other animals, or domestic dogs. Coyotes are wild animals, and while it is difficult to see them suffering, we ask that the public DO NOT FEED and DO NOT MEDICATE, and leave monitoring and efforts to catch to our professional animal handlers, wildlife biologists, and local wildlife veterinary staff. We are making attempts to capture and, if captured, will bring the affected animals for treatment at Cape Wildlife Center.

Again, questions and concerns are welcome from residents, visitors, and fellow animal lovers – please call me at (774) 801-0502 if you would like more information!

Eastham Animal Control

Additional state resources: https://www.mass.gov/info…/prevent-conflicts-with-coyotes