Coyotes: Tips and Tricks

Urban coyotes have become an issue throughout the United States as cities grow and their natural habitat shrinks. Our community is no exception. With these issues in mind, the Westfield Police Department has compiled the following information from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as well as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

According to the HSUS, in their natural habitat, coyotes are reclusive animals who avoid human contact; however, they have had to adapt to urban and suburban environments. Coyotes have lost their fear of humans likely due to the ready availability of food in neighborhoods. Sometimes, people even deliberately provide coyotes with food. Coyotes growing bolder should not be enticed or tolerated, but given the message that they are not welcome. Hazing is a method of deterring an animal to move them out of an area or discourage undesirable behavior or activity.

Coyotes are opportunistic foragers that will consume anything of nutritional value. Coyotes primarily feed on small mammals, even in urban environments, but they will not turn down an easy meal, nor will they pass up a free meal of artificial food sources. They will scavenge exposed garbage or other refuse, and may even kill and consume house cats and small dogs.

Tips

• Do not allow your dogs or cats to roam free. Do not leave outside unattended, even in a yard that is fenced.
• Always walk your dog on a leash. If you see a coyote, pick your dog up or place him or her behind you. Carry repellents with you: a noisemaker, like a whistle or air horn, that you can use; yell and wave your arms.
• Feed pets indoors whenever possible; pick up leftovers if feeding outdoors and store pet and livestock feed where it’s inaccessible to wildlife.
• Eliminate water bowls and other artificial water sources (if possible).
• Position bird feeders in a location that is less likely to attract small animals or bring the feeders in at night (to keep coyotes from feeding on the bird food or the other animals).
• Clean up spilled birdseed around feeders.
• Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it. Secure garbage containers. Make sure the lids are tight fitting.
• If you compost, use enclosed bins and never compost meat or fish scraps.
• Trim and clean shrubbery near ground level to reduce hiding cover for coyotes or their prey.

 

For more information:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3374.htm

http://www.humanesociety.org/coyotes

Also attached are “Coping with Coyotes” from the Indiana DNR, “Coyote Hazing Guidelines,” “Preventing Coyote Conflicts,” and “Solutions for Coyotes” from the Humane Society of the United States.