We have had quite a few coyote sightings recently in our neighborhood here in Portland. Just this past week my dog, Wendy, and I were followed by one while out for our early morning stroll.
Fortunately, I knew not to turn and run, and I recalled that it is best to make one’s self “as large and as loud as possible” to scare a coyote away. The coyote did eventually retreat, but not fully, and he continued to watch us while we walked — backwards — to the safety of our home.
That was one bold coyote!
Apparently, this is what happens as coyotes get more comfortable and lose their natural fear of people, and it would appear that it is happening in many parts of the country, even in and around big cities.
This got me thinking, what could or should I have done differently during this encounter? And, most important, what should we and our neighbors be doing to dissuade coyotes from coming onto our street and into our neighborhoods in the first place? I learned some very interesting things during my research — things that I feel all pet owners and parents of small children should know.
Keeping coyotes out of neighborhoods requires collaboration to be most effective
Now, to be fair, coyotes are an important part of the ecosystems they inhabit. After all, amongst other things, they help to keep rodent populations in check and have an indirect role in helping to keep native bird populations flourishing. But when you start seeing them in your yard, on your street, or generally in your neighborhood — and definitely when you are followed by one on a walk or if you have pets or small children — it does make one think about their presence just a little bit more!Fortunately, coyotes aren’t typically known to attack people and larger dogs, though it certainly has and does occur (adults and small children). And coyotes do routinely go after cats and smaller dogs. There are many news stories and Youtube videos depicting these scenarios; many are just too distressing and graphic to share here.
Attacks and bites wounds aren’t the only danger coyotes pose to your cats and dogs
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. As you can see, there really are many reasons why you (and your neighbors) should take steps to keep coyotes from getting comfortable in your neighborhood.
How to Keep Coyotes Out of Your Yard & 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. But really any dog of any size, when tied up is no match for a coyote and is enticing to them.
- Don’t become indifferent… 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!)
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You can buy and install rollers to the top of your yard fences to help keep coyotes* and other animals out, as well as your dogs and (possibly) cats in. Or you can even make yourself some DIY fence-top rollers. *Note that rollers are less likely to help keep coyotes out of your yard if your fence is shorter than 6 feet tall (see factoid below re: coyotes jumping over 6 foot tall fences).
What to Do If You and Your Dog Are Followed By a Coyote
- Do NOT turn your back to the coyote — do NOT run. (Coyotes can run up to 40 mph over short distances… you won’t 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, making yourself appear larger and scarier to the coyote.
- Run towards them and make noise to scare or shoo them away — yell “Go Away Coyote,” shake your keys, clap, etc. Watch the video below for some tips.
- Throw rocks, branches, or anything else at your disposal toward the coyote to scare them away. Aim for their feet and generally around them, not necessarily directly at them.
- If you live in an area where you know coyotes frequent, you can carry a whistle or fill a soda can with some coins or nuts & bolts. Wrap the entire thing in duct tape and then shake it to use as a noise-maker in the event you encounter a coyote. You can also get mini airhorns that you can carry with you on your walks.
- Consider doing your walks and hikes with a can of pepper spray or a water pistol with vinegar-water in it. You can use either to stop a coyote that gets too close.
- Note: With all noise-making attempts…. filled cans, whistles, airhorns, etc… take care to have your own dog(s) under good leash control so as not to also startle them and have them run off (or after the coyote).
How to Decrease Your Chances of Running Into a Coyote While Walking Your Dog
- See list of tips under “How To Keep Coyotes Out Of Your Neighborhood,” above.
- Wait until the sun comes up to walk your dog, walk your dog before the sun sets in the evening.
- Don’t let your dogs out in the yard without observation before sunrise or after sunset.
- Ensure your dog has a SOLID and RELIABLE recall — for the times when they're off leash.
- Walk your dog with other people and walk in well-trafficked areas.
- Be aware of the times of year when coyotes are typically more active and bold in your area. Typically prior to, during, and right after their mating season — so often Feb-May, or so.
- Spay and neuter your pets, or keep a very close eye and reliable leash on them. (Unless you want a “Coydog” — see interesting tidbit in list below about coyotes and dogs mating — which is NOT a good idea.)
Facts About Coyotes
- The latin name for coyotes is Canis latrans, which translates to “barking dog.”
- They are extremely adaptive in both their diet and their geographical distribution (location) — meaning they can (and will) eat just about anything, and can live in many places (including large urban centers, such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Toronto).
- Coyotes are usually fearful and cautious around people — though as urban habitats grow and people are becoming more indifferent to their presence, some coyotes are becoming habituated to people and losing their natural (and beneficial) fear of them.
- They are typically most active between dusk and dawn, but they can be seen any time of day or night.
- Coyotes have been “clocked” running short distances at speeds of up to 40 MPH (64 km/hr)! By comparison, the fastest human, Usain Bolt, has a top sprint speed of just 28 MPH. The top speed of a domestic cat is approximately 30 MPH, and the top speed of the fastest dog, the Greyhound, is about 43 MPH.
- Most coyotes can easily jump a 6-foot fence. See video and pics of it here (warning: one video shows a coyote jumping over a fence with a cat in its mouth).
- Coyotes typically breed between Feb and March, and then produce their litters between April and May.
- Their gestation — or length of pregnancy — is approximately 60-63 days, the same as for domesticated dogs.
- Coyotes are monogamous.
- Coyotes can successfully mate with dogs — their offspring are called “Coydogs.”
Additional Resources
- Coyote Biology
- Coyote Hazing – Guidelines for Discouraging Neighborhood Coyotes (HSUS)
- Coyote Smarts – Raising public awareness of coyotes and promoting effective strategies for keeping pets, families, and communities safe
- Project Coyote – Promoting coexistence between people and wildlife
- If you've lost an outdoor cat here's an article with some resources that will hopefully help get them back home safe
Have you seen coyotes in your neighborhood? Have you ever had a pet injured or stalked by a coyote? Have you yourself ever been followed by or encountered a coyote? Please share your story and any coyote tips in the comments section below.
