A New York state official says the coyotes in Portville are nothing to get
worked up about.

Mark Kandel of the Department of Environmental Conservation says the coyotes
aren't a threat.

He says children who are old enough to play outside unsupervised are not at
risk.

Kandel adds that they're usually looking for rabbits or mice, but have been
known to attack cats and small dogs.

He says the best way to scare off a coyote is to make a loud noise or shout
at it.