coyote attacks

17 years ago

There have recently been several attacks on pet dogs here in IL. I found an article in local newspaper about them and am passing on these tips:

"Coyotes, once a rare sight in Illinois, have been appearing in the area with growing regularity. They also can prey on house pets left alone outside.

Because of the ongoing coyote problem, residents need to be smart and not attack the predator themselves. If you get word of, see, or suspect a coyote is in your neighborhood, leave the job to the experts.

Pet owners need to be responsible and not allow their dog or cat outside in unfenced yards. Invisible fencing might keep a pet in, but it wonÂt keep a coyote out. Some steps homeowners can take to discourage coyotes from coming near include:

Â DonÂt feed any wild animals, such as raccoons or deer, which encourages coyotes as well.

Â Keep cats indoors at all times.

Â Keep your dog on a leash.

Â DonÂt leave cat or dog food outside.

Â Secure garbage so coyotes canÂt access it.

Â Accompany your pets outside at night.

Do not believe that your neighborhood is safe just because a coyote hasnÂt been seen. "

KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE!!

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Comments (7)

anita22
17 years ago
I would add the same caution about foxes, who if they are hungry enough (especially in winter), will also attack and eat cats and dogs.

Don't know about IL, but in MD one winter a fox went up a big tree after our cat while my dad was out watching her (he was on the porch and I guess the fox was so hungry it didn't pay any attention to the human.) Lights, noise, and a nearby human yelling frantically didn't deter that fox, so dad grabbed his rifle and fired. Missed in the dark, but the fox ran off. Since there were no experts around (100-acre farm) to control the problem, after that dad carried a gun when he took Bibi out. Due to his vigilance she lived to 15 and died of old age in my mother's arms.
Ratherbgardening
17 years ago
That's partly why we have indoor cats. They're both on the small side, so they'd be an easy catch.
We have a pack of coyotes here and I often see one or 2 during the day, out hunting in the horse pasture. They're pretty timid. I don't know how our neighbor's cat survives them, since she's a little one too. Hopefully she spends the night in the garage. She's in our yard a lot during the day, probably because they're gone.
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I saw the post heading but did not look at the date. We too live in Canada - Toronto - and last Friday received a 4 page flyer from Animal Control re the increasing population of Coyotes in Toronto - and near our house - a few blocks away there is a big park, but the coyotes are becoming increasing brave and venturing further afield in search of food - and people have been feeding the coyote "puppies". They are competing with raccoons and skunks - they are of course a nuisance but a far cry from a raccoon. Re the OP's question re a Coyote jumping a 6 ft. fence - most definitely. Heck our 22 lb. dog can jump a 5 ft. from a standing position. I called Animal Control and was told to be careful, particularly in the early a.m. and evening - of course it is dark - and to never put our dog in the yard alone - we don't do this anyway. And to always have him on a leash - which he is. But dogs are being attacked by Coyotes while on leash, including a Chocolate Lab, not that far from here. His Mom beat off the 2 Coyotes who were biting him and then they came back for more - Mom and dog got away thankfully. In one area not far from us, Coyotes have been seen looking in windows checking for dogs and cats. Suggested deterrents are coins in a can (useless - they don't even scare my dog) - or small air horns - I got the last one at Sport Chek much to the dismay of other shoppers. I know the noise will hurt our guy's ears, but better that than the alternative. People are being told to take down bird feeders since Coyotes will search them out - I feel sorry for the birds who will return each year for food, but.... The Coyotes of course are looking for food since so much of their native habitat is now covered with houses. This problem will get worse - and a child has been bitten by a Coyote in the GTA. I for one would be eaten I guess by a Coyote while trying to save our dog. My friend owns a store in Toronto and was written up in the local area newspaper. On the adjoining page there was an article about the increase of Coyotes in Toronto and how to deal with the problem. Quite a large write-up. I did a Coyote search on our dog's specific breed forum and many people in the U.S. are facing the same issue but many states allow people to protect themselves in ways that Canadian laws do not - so an air horn it is - as well as having a fit during the early morning and night walks when we hear a noise or rustling in the bushes! Animal Control suggested speaking with neighbours to best devise ways to deal with garbage and keep pets safe - so far - zip. Cats are still being let out to run loose - and some people feel that since the major park isn't right across the street (well there is a park across the street - just a different one) that they need not worry. The usual case of "it couldn't happen to me". There are a couple of people though who are worried, thankfully.
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joepyeweed
17 years ago
Oh yeah, coyotes are adapting to increasing habitat destuction and they are thriving because they are scavengers and learning to live with people.

Wildlife biologists who study the increase in population learned by dissecting coyotes that the urban coyote's number one source of food was garbage and their second source of food was the domestic cat. Coyotes have discovered that domestic cats and dogs are easy prey.

There was even a rumor that a female coyote in heat will run with a suburban neighborhood, getting the local dogs to chase her and then lead them out into an area where they dogs are circled by the coyote pack.

And biologists have also said that modern coyote dens are littered with the collars and tags of cats and dogs.
bluesbarby
17 years ago
They are common in our area even though I don't live in a rural area. However, we have various canyons (very hilly here) where they live. And fences don't always keep them out. I occasionally will see one wandering the streets especially during a drought.
oakleif
17 years ago
We have coyotes and bear thus a strong tall fence that would take a lot of effort to get in which only a bear could do and my babies are smart enough to come in house if threatened.

My concern is with my Cricket as we also have some big hawks around. So i keep my eyes open for them.
vickie
ms_minnamouse
17 years ago
I don't know how people can complain about coyote attacks on their pets when they leave their pets outside unsupervised. Especially cats. I won't even get into my rant about keeping cats outdoors.

All it takes is responsible pet ownership. Watch your pets. Keep them inside when you can't. If you can't do that, then don't get a pet!
Roberta_z5
17 years ago
We live on a farm and the only reason we have cats is to control the rodent population. Having them live indoors would defeat that purpose. I love all three of them dearly though. I just hope they continue to be 'street wise' enough to avoid becoming lunch.

People out here are always abandoning cats and few bother to neuter their cats so coyote food is everywhere.

coyote attacks

Comments (7)

anita22

Ratherbgardening

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