The coyote (Canis latrans) is a highly adaptable North American predator whose range has expanded dramatically across the continent. This ecological success has brought the species into widespread proximity with human populations, from remote wilderness to densely populated urban centers. The visibility and presence of these canids have intensified a long-standing conflict. This article explores the historical, emotional, and practical factors that fuel the negative perception of the coyote.
Predation on Pets and Livestock
The most tangible and economically significant reason for negative sentiment toward coyotes stems from their predatory behavior toward domesticated animals. For rural communities, coyotes represent a substantial financial burden, acting as the primary predator for certain types of livestock. Coyotes are responsible for the highest percentage of predator-caused losses of sheep and lambs in the U.S., accounting for over 60% of these losses in some states.
These predators reportedly kill more than 300,000 head of livestock annually, contributing to an estimated $232 million in total livestock losses caused by predators each year. While this loss is a small percentage of the total agricultural output, the impact can be devastating for individual ranchers. This economic pressure has historically driven widespread anti-coyote efforts in agricultural regions.
In suburban areas, the conflict shifts from economic concern to profound emotional distress when household pets are involved. Small dogs and cats are viewed by coyotes as either a food source or as competition to be eliminated from their territory. The loss of a companion animal is often the most direct and personal trigger for intense hatred toward the species.
The high level of concern regarding pet predation often elevates the perceived danger of coyotes. This emotional weight makes pet safety a central focus of human-coyote conflict and management programs. Coyotes may also become more aggressive toward dogs during the mating season (January to March) or when protecting their pups (April through August).
The Fear of Human Confrontation
The psychological fear of coyotes often outweighs the actual risk they pose to human safety, but this fear is a powerful driver of public opinion. Attacks on humans are statistically uncommon, with only a few hundred verified incidents documented across North America over many decades. Tragically, only two human fatalities have ever been recorded.
Despite the rarity of these events, when an attack occurs, intense media coverage amplifies public anxiety. This sensationalism distorts the perception of risk, leading people to believe they are in constant danger. Anxiety is especially high concerning children, who are more prevalent in predatory attacks, though injuries are rarely serious.
The vast majority of coyotes maintain a natural wariness of people, but this instinct can erode through habituation. Coyotes that lose their fear—typically because people are providing food—become bolder and approach humans. This loss of natural caution is the primary factor in aggressive encounters, leading to bold behaviors like approaching leashed pets or following people.
Successful Urban Adaptation
The sheer frequency of coyote sightings, which fuels the perception of danger, is a direct result of their impressive ecological flexibility. Coyotes are masters of urban survival, utilizing spaces like parks, greenways, cemeteries, and drainage corridors to navigate and establish territories. This constant visibility transforms the coyote from a distant wild animal into a visible neighbor or pest.
Their success in metropolitan areas is largely attributable to an opportunistic and varied diet. While they continue to prey on rodents and rabbits, urban coyotes readily consume human-associated resources. This diet includes unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, pet food left outdoors, and the small mammals attracted to bird feeders.
Urban environments provide abundant food sources and a lack of natural predators, making them suitable for coyotes. To minimize contact, many urban coyotes become almost entirely nocturnal or crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). This reliance on human-generated food sources contributes significantly to resident frustration.
Methods for Reducing Conflict
Reducing conflict relies on changing human behavior to discourage coyote presence. A key strategy is “hazing,” using deterrents to restore their natural fear of humans. Hazing includes making loud noises, waving arms aggressively, or throwing small objects near the animal. Consistent hazing teaches coyotes that human proximity is undesirable.
Securing food attractants is equally important, as it eliminates the primary reason coyotes enter residential spaces. This involves securing all trash in containers with tight-fitting lids and avoiding leaving pet food and water bowls outside. Removing fallen fruit and clearing spilled birdseed also helps eliminate easy food sources.
Protecting pets requires vigilance and simple precautions, such as keeping cats indoors and always supervising dogs, especially small breeds. Keeping dogs on a short leash and never leaving them unattended drastically reduces the risk of conflict. For those with yards, installing a six-foot-high fence with an apron or roll bars can prevent coyotes from climbing or digging.