Likely Guy
Hero Member
As far as attacks on people, usually what we have is a 'people problem' or 'urban sprawl' into previously remote areas. As people and coyotes come into closer contact because of that, we have to educate ourselves and our children.
The reason they're in your neighborhood is because there's a food source. Cut off their food source (i.e. feed your pets indoors, secure your garbage & compost) and they'll move on.
From: http://www.theconservationagency.org/coyotes/coyote_bytes/coyote_bytes.htm
"Unlike deer, coyotes adjust their own population numbers based on food availability. More food results in more puppies per female; less food means fewer."
For a list of the most recent coyote attacks: http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/coyote_attacks.html
While the list appears scary, most of the incidents end; "Apparently, people had been feeding coyotes in the area", "Neither child was seriously hurt", "...but did not break his skin", "bitten in the buttocks by a possible coyote" and "The school is surrounded by hillsides where homes are being built, destroying the natural habitat of the coyotes." Yes, scary stuff, if you have children, though usually the worst injuries are puncture wounds.
In short, you're far more likely to be attacked and killed by a domestic dog than be attacked by a 'wild' coyote.
The reason they're in your neighborhood is because there's a food source. Cut off their food source (i.e. feed your pets indoors, secure your garbage & compost) and they'll move on.
From: http://www.theconservationagency.org/coyotes/coyote_bytes/coyote_bytes.htm
"Unlike deer, coyotes adjust their own population numbers based on food availability. More food results in more puppies per female; less food means fewer."
For a list of the most recent coyote attacks: http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/coyote_attacks.html
While the list appears scary, most of the incidents end; "Apparently, people had been feeding coyotes in the area", "Neither child was seriously hurt", "...but did not break his skin", "bitten in the buttocks by a possible coyote" and "The school is surrounded by hillsides where homes are being built, destroying the natural habitat of the coyotes." Yes, scary stuff, if you have children, though usually the worst injuries are puncture wounds.
In short, you're far more likely to be attacked and killed by a domestic dog than be attacked by a 'wild' coyote.