Coyotes are highly adaptable wild canids that have expanded their presence across North America, increasingly inhabiting urban and suburban environments. This has led to more frequent encounters with human populations, raising questions about potential conflict.
How Often Do Attacks Occur?
Coyote attacks on humans are uncommon events, and serious injuries are rare. Despite their infrequent nature, reported incidents have increased, particularly in areas like California. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services indicates 41 verified attacks between 1988 and 1997, rising to 48 attacks from 1998 to 2003. A broader analysis documented 367 attacks on humans by coyotes across the United States and Canada from 1977 through 2015.
Only two fatal coyote attacks on humans have been recorded in modern history across the U.S. and Canada. One occurred in California around 1980 or 1981, and another in Nova Scotia in 2009. Millions of dog bites occur annually in the U.S., making encounters with domestic dogs significantly more likely to result in injury than those with coyotes. Most interactions between humans and coyotes do not involve aggression.
Why Coyote Attacks Happen
Coyote attacks, though rare, stem from specific behavioral changes or circumstances. A primary factor is the habituation of coyotes to human presence, often resulting from intentional or unintentional feeding. When coyotes associate humans with food, they lose their natural wariness and may become bolder, approaching people more readily. This can lead to aggressive behaviors, such as chasing joggers or confronting people walking their dogs.
Attacks can also exhibit seasonal patterns, with a higher occurrence during the coyote breeding and pup-rearing season, which typically runs from March through August. During this period, coyotes may act defensively to protect their dens or young. Predatory behavior accounts for a significant portion of classified attacks, estimated at 37% of incidents. In these cases, coyotes may directly pursue and bite a victim, sometimes attempting to drag them away. Children are disproportionately affected in such scenarios. A small number of attacks have also involved rabid coyotes, though most victims are bitten by seemingly healthy animals.
Reducing Risks and Staying Safe
Preventing coyote attacks involves discouraging their habituation to human areas and understanding appropriate responses. Securing all potential food sources is a foundational step; this includes keeping pet food indoors, ensuring garbage cans are tightly sealed, and removing fallen fruit from yards. Supervising pets, especially smaller dogs and cats, is also important, as coyotes may view them as prey. Keeping cats indoors completely eliminates their risk of coyote encounters.
If a coyote approaches, actively hazing the animal can help re-establish its natural fear of humans. This involves making yourself appear large, yelling loudly, and throwing objects near (but not at) the coyote. Maintaining eye contact and never running away are important, as running can trigger a chase response. Educating neighbors about these practices and the importance of not feeding coyotes, even indirectly, is crucial for community-wide safety. Modifying human behavior remains a highly effective strategy for reducing the likelihood of coyote conflicts.