Generally considered nocturnal, we are seeing coyotes during daylight hours especially early evening and late mornings. Suburban coyotes, as they are often referred to, frequent areas for one primary reason. It provides a food source for them. Although coyotes normally feed on vermin, insects and some wild fruits experts advise suburban neighborhoods like Somerset to remove all outside food sources such as pet food, trash and garbage. Unfortunately domestic cats and even very small dogs have also become a coyote food source.

If we all take some preventative measures we can help reduce the unfortunate missing pet incidents and more importantly avoid more serious coyote encounters.

Read below to learn more about suburban coyotes, their habits and what you can do to help discourage their habitation in Somerset visit our Somerset website.

• Never attempt to “tame” a coyote.
• Avoid direct eye contact.
• Do not turn your back or run from a coyote.
• Attempt to leave the area calmly.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises and make yourself look big.
• If this fails, throw rocks, first near the ground next to the coyote, then, if necessary, at the body, never the head.
• Always keep yourself between the coyote and small children.
• If attacked, fight back.
• Coyotes are not considered a disease threat. Outbreaks of rabies in coyotes are rare and not commonly implicated in the transmission of the disease to humans or domestic animals.

• Secure garbage cans by fastening lids with rope, bungee cords, or chains and tying the handle to a stake driven into the ground.
• Dispose of especially attractive food wastes such as meat, cheese, and eggs by adding a small amount of ammonia to the bag to deter coyotes. If it will be several days before garbage pick up, temporarily freeze these wastes until they can be properly disposed of.
• When composting, use enclosed bins rather than exposed piles. Avoid adding dog or cat waste, meat, milk or eggs, and any food containing these products, to compost.
• If you have fruit trees, pick the ripe fruit and keep fallen fruit off the ground. Coyotes are fond of ripe fruit.
• Outdoor lights triggered by motion sensors may keep coyotes from approaching your house at night.
• Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes find cover and critters to feed on.
• Note: Trapping and relocation of coyotes is not recommended. Disruption of family packs can cause orphaned juveniles to seek easy prey such as small dogs and cats. And other coyotes will move into the vacated area.

Do dog owners need to be concerned about coyotes? The answer is maybe. Conflicts between dogs and coyotes occur primarily in the months of March and April. It is during this time that coyotes are setting up their denning areas for the soon-to-arrive pups. Coyotes become exceptionally territorial around these denning sites in an attempt to create a safe place for their young. Coyotes view other canines (dogs) as a threat to their young. Essentially it comes down to a territorial dispute between your dog and the coyote. Both believe that your yard is their territory.

Owners of large and medium sized dogs have little to worry about. Coyotes, with an average weight of 35 lbs., know they are overmatched by large dogs and will yield part of their territory (your yard) to the dog. A confrontation may occur between a mid sized dog and a coyote. Such confrontations, however, usually do not involve physical contact between the two animals. The dog and coyote usually come to an understanding on whose territory is whose.

Owners of small dogs have cause for concern. The outcome of a confrontation between a small dog and a coyote will depend a lot upon the behavior of the dog. A coyote knows it is physically superior to a small dog and expects the dog to be submissive. Trouble occurs when a small dog does not submit to a coyote. The coyote will discipline the dog to correct its inappropriate behavior. This discipline will continue until the dog submits or is eventually killed. Very small dogs, e.g., small poodles, are viewed by coyotes as easy prey and are at risk to be killed year round.

To avoid these situations consider the following:

• Fence your property or yard. The fence must be at least 6 feet tall with the bottom extending at least 6 inches below the ground. Fences can be made more effective by outwardly inverting the top of the fence.
• Keep animals in at night (coyotes are primarily nocturnal).
• If you allow your cats to go outside unattended and there is little or no natural tree cover, you can help protect your cat by installing “cat posts.” Cat posts can be any type of long climbable wooden post (4x4 or corner posts) that stands out of the ground at least 6 to 8 feet. The post will provide the cat with an opportunity to escape from a pursuing coyote. (Note: experts encourage cat guardians to keep their cats indoors where they are safe from cars and other animals.)
• Don’t leave dog or cat food outside.
• Discuss an appropriate dog or cat vaccination program with your vet. (Note: Transmission of disease from coyotes to domestic animals is extremely rare; however canine distemper and rabies are known to be transmitted in this fashion.)
• Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs. Male coyotes will be attracted to unspayed female dogs and unneutered male dogs may be lured away by an ovulating female coyote.