​

​

​

Help protect your pets from being attacked by a coyote.

​​​

• Avoid feeding your pets outside. If you do feed them outside pick up bowls right away.

• ​Coyotes are omnivores which mean they eat meat & plants such as fallen fruit. Fallen fruit also attracts rodents, rabbits, and opossums, which are common prey for a coyote.

• Use enclosed bins for composting.

• Free-roaming pets, especially cats and sometimes small dogs, may invite coyotes into certain neighborhoods. The best way to minimize risk to your pet is to not leave them outside unattended.

• Vegetable gardens are delicious buffets for coyotes. So keep them away from where you play with your pet.

• Small animals such as rabbits or chickens housed outside also draw coyotes into the area.

• Coyotes like to hide. Keep bushes and trees trimmed. Overgrown landscape make a great place to hide.

​​

Ways to keep your pets safe:

​

• Go outside with them in your backyard. Using a leash is even safer.

• Keep pets indoors when not with you. Most coyotes can jump and clear fences with a height of 7 feet or more.

• Always use a leash that is six feet or shorter. Longer leashes give you less control and coyotes can easily reach speeds of 40 mph.

• Walk pets in higher traffic pedestrian routes.

• Do NOT establish a regular routine; leave at different times each day and vary your route to avoid setting up a pattern for the coyote to detect. They may stalk you if they learn your route.

• Avoid areas or paths with dense foliage when out walking your pet.

• Carry an air horn. You can buy a small handheld one for a few dollars online or at a sporting goods store.

• DO NOT USE PEPPER SPRAY! The slightest breeze can blow it into your pets’ eyes or even your own!

​​

What to do if you encounter a coyote:

​

• Make yourself appear as large and threatening as possible; raise your arms, wave them around, and shout as loud as you can to scare off the coyote.

• Keep your dogs as close to you as possible, and pick up smaller dogs if possible. If the coyote is within 50 feet of you do NOT bend down to pick them up. This will make you look smaller and appear to be cowering.

• DO NOT RUN AWAY!! Turning around and running makes you look like prey. Never turn your back on a coyote.