BRONX HOWL PROWL

Spielberg sis’ close encounter with coyote

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to The Bronx.

A menacing coyote terrified Riverdale residents on Thursday — including Steven Spielberg’s sister, who called 911 to keep the “predator” from attacking her poodle.

Nancy Spielberg, 58, a documentary producer and the younger sister of the “Jaws” director, was spooked when she spotted the hungry beast prowling in her back yard and staring down her 3yearold pooch, Rambo, at about 11:30 a.m.

“He was a big one. He hung out for a long time in the back yard. He was staring at my dog through the window,” Nancy Spielberg said.

“I don’t really feel safe letting my dog out at night. I feel really uneasy. I’m an animal lover. I love all sorts of animals, but this one felt like a predator, like he couldn’t be rehabilitated. He was out in the daytime watching us for a very long time.”

Two cops and two animalservice workers showed up, but the furry troublemaker bolted, leaving them in the dust, she said.

Nancy Spielberg — whose work includes “Elusive Justice: The Search for Nazi War Criminals” and “Above and Beyond” — had been halfway through her morning workout when she got a call from her frantic housekeeper.

“She called me screaming. She said the coyote is in the back yard staring at her and Rambo. I left my exercise class and came home,” she said.

The coyote had other animals in its sights, too.

“He tried to catch some birds in his mouth. He went behind some bushes. What bothered me is that he was out in daylight, which means he might be sick. They are nocturnal,” Nancy added.

The neighborhood’s coyote problem began two years ago, when the wild animals began living in Riverdale Park, said Nancy, who reported it to Animal Care and Control at the time.

“I was worried about my little dog. They told me not to let my dog out, otherwise he’ll be a hot lunch for the coyotes,” she said.

Other neighbors have been plagued by coyotes this year.

At least three coyotes have been spotted in the city in the past three months — including one in the East Village in January.

Coyotes caught in New York City are released into a Bronx wilderness area by the Parks Department and Animal Care and Control.

“I’d like him to go back north. I won’t go out at night,” Nancy Spielberg said.

POOCH & PREDATOR: Nancy Spielberg (top) took this pic of a wild coyote (right) Thursday as it lurked near her Bronx house (left), eyeing her poodle (above).