Coyotes are increasingly common in urban and suburban areas across North America. Understanding how to react to these adaptable animals is important for safety and coexistence. This article provides practical guidance on preventing encounters, responding to sightings, and addressing physical attacks.
Preventing Encounters
Proactive measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of coyotes frequenting your property. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, attracted to readily available food sources. Secure pet food indoors and ensure trash bins have tight-fitting, tip-proof lids. Fallen fruit and birdseed can also attract them.
Supervise pets, especially small dogs and cats, as they can be viewed as potential prey. Never leave pets unattended outdoors, particularly during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active. Maintain a tidy yard by trimming ground-level shrubbery and clearing brush to eliminate potential hiding spots. Fencing can also be effective if it is at least six feet tall and extends one foot underground to deter climbing or digging.
Responding to a Sighting
If you see a coyote that has not yet acted aggressively, employ hazing techniques to encourage its natural wariness of humans. Make yourself appear as large as possible, waving your arms overhead, and shouting loudly. Do not run away, as this can trigger a coyote’s chase instinct.
Continue to make noise with items like whistles, air horns, or by banging pots and pans. Throw small objects like sticks or rocks in the coyote’s direction, aiming to land them near the animal, not directly at it. If the coyote runs a short distance and then stops, continue hazing until it completely leaves the area. This consistent reinforcement teaches coyotes to avoid human-populated spaces.
Surviving a Physical Attack
While coyote attacks on humans are rare, they can occur, often if the animal is habituated to people or a pet is involved. If a coyote initiates a physical attack, fight back aggressively. Do not play dead, as this will not deter a coyote. Yell, kick, and punch the animal, protecting vulnerable areas like your head and neck.
Use any available objects as a defense, such as a backpack, walking stick, or rocks and sticks. Continue to be loud and assertive throughout the encounter. The goal is to make the coyote understand you are not easy prey and to scare it away. Fighting back increases your chance of survival.
After the Encounter
After a coyote leaves the area, whether following a sighting or an attack, take immediate follow-up steps. Check yourself and any pets for injuries, even minor ones. If there are bites or scratches, seek medical attention promptly due to potential disease transmission. Wash any affected areas thoroughly with soap and water.
Report the incident to local animal control or wildlife authorities. This helps them monitor coyote behavior, identify problem animals, and inform the community. Providing detailed information about the encounter, including the coyote’s appearance and behavior, assists in maintaining public safety.