Courtesy Photo A wild coyote crosses the street in Rogers City on Wednesday. Police are asking people to not leave their children or pets outside unattended because there could be several of the wild animals roaming in areas of the city.

ROGERS CITY — The Rogers City Police Department is asking residents to not leave pets or children outside unattended, as they address complaints of coyotes roaming in residential areas of the city.

According to Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan, Rogers City Police, the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s deputies, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and a professional wild animal exterminator have been hired to address the wild canines that are on the prowl.

Residents are being warned to not approach the animals or take matters into their own hands and try to shoot them. Shooting a firearm in the city limits may lead to criminal charges for someone discharging a gun at the animals.

“Just report the animal with a call to local police,” McLennan said. “People should stay as far as possible from the animals.”

McLennan said several calls to police came in a few days ago, but since then, the number of sightings, including from people who have seen the animals in their yards, has significantly increased.

McLennan said although the wild dogs are nocturnal, many of the coyote sightings have been during the day.

“The reports have really exploded in the last 24 hours,” he said.

McLennan said as of now, it is unknown how many of the coyotes are in the city. He said many of the sightings have been in the area of the Rogers City High School and Brege Street, as well as the south end of Fourth Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, and Seventh Street.

Check back for updates.