HAVE YOU BEEN SEEING OR
HEARING COYOTES IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD?
Although coyotes rarely attack people and larger dogs, they do routinely go after cats and smaller dogs. Attacks and bites wounds aren’t the only danger coyotes pose to your cats and dogs according to Preventive Vet.
Coyotes are also susceptible to and can carry/transmit certain infectious diseases that your dogs (and cats, in the case of rabies) can catch. The list includes distemper, hepatitis (liver inflammation), parvovirus, rabies, and others. Coyotes can also be a source of mange (mites), fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and other parasites that they can pass along to your pets.Although coyotes are an important part of their ecosystem and help keep rodents in check, you should take steps to discourage coyotes in your neighborhood:
NEVER intentionally feed a coyote.
Don’t keep pet food outside.
Clean your grill after using, or store it inside your garage when not in use.
Securely cover your trash and recycling cans. If possible and practical, put your trash out the morning of pick-up, rather than the evening before.
Don’t add meat, bones, etc to your compost pile. Ensure your compost bin is tightly and securely covered.
If you have fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit so as to not let it rot on the ground. Coyotes are very opportunistic feeders.
Keep cats indoors. Always is safest, but at least between the dusk and dawn hours (when coyotes tend to be most active).
Don't leave dogs tied up outside, especially small dogs. Dogs of any size, when tied up are no match for a coyote and are enticing to them.
If you see a coyote in your yard or neighborhood ALWAYS haze them away. Do so completely, and remind your neighbors of the importance of doing the same.
Be extra vigilant if you or any of your neighbors keep backyard chickens, as the coyotes will be attracted both to the chickens and to the chicken feed. (And to the rodents that will also be attracted to the chickens and their feed!)
If you and your dog are followed by a coyote on a walk:
Do NOT turn your back to the coyote and do NOT run. Coyotes can run up to 40 mph over short distances … Usain Bolt - the world's fastest human has a top sprint speed of 28 mph and racing Greyhounds 43 mph...neither you nor your dog can outrun them.
Put your dog on a leash, if they aren’t already. Do NOT turn your dog loose to go after the coyote.
Unzip your jacket and hold it wide open or raise your hands above your head and wave them to make yourself appear larger and scarier to the coyote.
Run towards them and make noise to scare or shoo them away — yelling, clapping hands, shaking keys. Throw rocks...aiming for their feet and generally around them rather than directly at them. A can of pepper spray or a water pistol with vinegar-water can be used to stop a coyote that gets too close.