The coyote, Canis latrans, is a highly adaptable canine predator that has successfully expanded its range across North America, thriving even in major metropolitan areas. This widespread presence causes concern for residents unaccustomed to sharing their neighborhoods with a wild carnivore. Coyotes are drawn into developed areas by the availability of resources, which can lead to conflicts and safety fears. Coexisting with this intelligent animal requires understanding its behavior and taking proactive steps to remove attractants and reinforce its natural wariness of people.
Understanding the Rarity of Coyote Attacks on Humans
Coyote attacks on humans are extremely uncommon events, especially when compared to the frequency of dog bites nationwide. Studies indicate that the vast majority of coyotes actively avoid human contact, maintaining a healthy fear of people. The small number of incidents that do occur are typically confined to specific circumstances involving habituated animals that have lost their fear or animals suffering from rabies.
In the rare cases of predatory attacks, small children are the primary target, likely due to their size, which a coyote may mistake for a manageable prey animal. Nationwide, only a handful of fatal attacks have ever been documented. The increase in reported incidents is often directly linked to people intentionally or unintentionally providing food, which causes the animals to become bold and lose their natural caution.
What Attracts Coyotes to Residential Areas
Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores that are drawn to residential areas because they provide a reliable source of food, water, and shelter. Unsecured garbage containers are a significant attractant, especially if they contain meat scraps or other strong-smelling food waste. Leaving pet food and water bowls outside can quickly condition coyotes to view a yard as a feeding station.
Other backyard elements also act as attractants, such as compost piles and fallen fruit from trees. Bird feeders, while not directly appealing to coyotes, attract rodents like mice and squirrels, which are a primary food source for the canines. Dense shrubbery, overgrown vegetation, and crawl spaces under porches or sheds also offer sheltered den sites. This abundance of resources contributes to habituation, where coyotes remain unafraid even when people are present.
Residential Deterrence and Active Hazing Techniques
Property security is the first step in deterring coyotes by making the area less hospitable and removing easy food sources. Homeowners should secure all trash in heavy-duty containers with locking or tight-fitting lids that coyotes cannot open. Removing brush piles and thinning dense landscaping eliminates potential daytime resting or denning locations. Fences should be at least six feet high, and for extra protection, a coyote roller—a device installed on the top of the fence—prevents the animals from gaining purchase to climb over.
When an encounter does occur, active hazing is a necessary technique to reinforce the coyote’s natural fear of humans. Hazing involves using methods to frighten the coyote until it leaves the area completely. Techniques should vary so the coyote does not become accustomed to a single stimulus, making them ineffective over time. A person should first make themselves look large by waving their arms or pulling a jacket over their head while shouting aggressively at the animal.
Hazing Tools
Effective noisemakers include:
- Air horns
- Whistles
- Cans filled with pennies or marbles
- Small objects like sticks or tennis balls to throw near the coyote
It is acceptable to throw small objects near the coyote to frighten it, but not at it to cause injury. Never turn your back or run from a coyote, as this can trigger a predatory chase response.
Specific Safety Measures for Pets and Children
Pets, particularly small dogs under 40 pounds and outdoor cats, are at the highest risk of being viewed as prey. The safest practice is to keep all cats indoors and never leave small dogs unattended in a yard, even if it is fenced. When walking a dog, it should be kept on a short leash, ideally six feet or less, to ensure the owner maintains control and proximity.
If a coyote approaches while walking a pet, the owner should immediately pick up small dogs and cats and begin hazing the coyote until it retreats. For larger dogs, shortening the leash and maintaining a dominant posture is important, as coyotes may view large dogs as competition.
Parents must also exercise strict supervision over small children when outdoors. Coyotes may view small children as potential prey if they are left unsupervised. If a coyote is seen, children should be instructed to stand tall, yell, and retreat indoors or climb onto a secure structure. Ensuring that children do not have food residue on their hands or clothing while playing outside can help to avoid investigative approaches by a coyote.