PROTECTING YOUR PETS FROM COYOTES

PROTECTING YOUR PETS FROM COYOTES

Wherever you live in Colorado, chances are you have seen foxes and coyotes near your home.  Although you might not have personally lost a pet to a wild animal, chances are you’ve heard of it happening in your community.
 
Foxes, coyotes, even bears and mountain lions, have shown great adaptability to live near humans – and that can spell trouble for pets that are allowed to roam free.
 
According to Rick Gardner, a District Wildlife Manager with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, “Dogs and cats stand little or no chance of survival when they have run-ins with coyotes, the most adaptable of the wild predators in Colorado.” 
 
Coyotes belong to a group of wildlife known as “generalists,” which allows them to adapt to almost any environment.  Coyotes live in the mountains, out on the plains, and everywhere in between. 
 
“Residents around La Junta have had a lot of pets come up missing this summer,” said Gardner.  “We don’t know for sure if these attacks are by a coyote, or by other animals including stray dogs, but no matter which, people should take precautions to protect their pets.”
 
That same scenario is being played out throughout the state.  “If a pet is attacked, or if a coyote is seen acting aggressively towards humans, people should yell and throw rocks – and then report it,” suggested Gardner.
 
Gardner says that harassing coyotes is the best way to reduce the number of them that hang around people’s homes.
 
Coyotes are omnivorous, but the bulk of their diet is meat.  They catch birds, rabbits, squirrels, mice, and other rodents, but they will also go after bigger animals such as deer.  In rural areas, coyotes sometimes kill calves, sheep, or poultry.
 
If they can’t find meat, coyotes eat insects (especially grasshoppers), fruit, berries, and even garden crops including melons or carrots.  They also eat food discarded by humans, including just about any kind of garbage.
 
All of this spells trouble for pets allowed to roam free.  Not only will coyotes kill pets for food, they also kill them because they perceive dogs and cats as territorial competitors.
 
Attacks on humans are extremely rare, and one factor appears to be the relative size of people to coyotes.  The average adult coyote weighs anywhere from 20 to 35 lbs.
 
While coyotes do not normally approach people, coyotes that show no fear of humans can pose problems. 
 
Cat Owners:

• The only way to guarantee a cat’s safety is to keep it indoors.  Outdoor cats face potential death from, foxes, raccoons, parasites, diseases, dogs, and birds of prey such as owls.
  
• Dog Owners:
• Always supervise your pet outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
• If you must leave your dog outside, keep it in an enclosed kennel with a top.
• Use a short leash when walking your pet.  Avoid retractable leashes.
• Do not allow dogs to roam free, play, or interact with a coyote.
• Pick up small dogs when coyotes are visible.
• Try to avoid areas when coyote problems have been reported.

 
If a coyote approaches you:

• Act as big and loud as possible.
• Wave your arms, clap, and throw things at the coyote.
• Shout in a loud and authoritative voice.
• Do not run or turn your back.
• Face the coyote and back away slowly while making noise. 

• For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Posted by normvance on Aug 26 2010. Filed under Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.