Coyotes in the foothills? (Rio Rancho: subdivision, rich, suburbs)

[nonexpat]

Originally Posted by mortimer

One of my CNM computer programming teachers used to just teach courses to support his wild animal rescue habit.

He said that one of the things that they find in owls' nests are animal collars from dogs, but mostly cats.

The talons of birds of prey have more force on them than the jaws of a lion on a per-square-inch basis ( not total pressing force ).

Wow! Fascinating and scary for those of us who own little pets.

When I lived in Plano, TX, a very built-up, suburb of Dallas, we would see coyotes crossing the street while we were taking our morning walk. One of my neighbors had her cat go missing and found only the little front paws right next to the library the next day.


I also saw on the news how a woman in Plano was out walking on a bike trail in the evening and was bitten--I mean a huge chunk taken out of her leg--by a coyote. Sadly, all of those suburbs were encroaching on their habitat and the coyotes had nowhere to go.

[KathieRR]

I moved from Los Angeles to Rio Rancho in January of 2009. I heard coyotes howling at night that winter but I haven't heard them since. I saw one walking down the sidewalk during the day on Broadmoor (near Country Club Drive) a few months ago.

A few days ago, I was woken up in the middle of the night by what sounded like vicious dog fighting either in my backyard or in the large empty field behind my house (on Oakmount). By the time I got out of bed and turned on the patio lights, whatever it was had left the area.

Could this have been coyotes? I have a patio door in my bedroom (no windows) that my 2 cats like to sit in front of at night when I don't have my swamp cooler running. Now I'm terrified that, if there are coyotes near my house, could they tear through the patio door screen to get to my cats and me? I've been sleeping with all the patio doors and windows closed ever since this happened, and it gets rather stuffy inside when it's not hot enough to run the swamp cooler.

Do you have any advice for me? Maybe I should look into getting a security door put on the patio door in my bedroom?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by KathieRR

A few days ago, I was woken up in the middle of the night by what sounded like vicious dog fighting either in my backyard or in the large empty field behind my house (on Oakmount).

Could this have been coyotes?

Do you have any advice for me? Maybe I should look into getting a security door put on the patio door in my bedroom?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

My first six months in Rio Rancho I was chased or followed 14 times by dogs running loose in the Bosque area, neighborhoods, and some of the arroyos...

I have seen plenty of coyotes but about 10 times more dogs running loose. Now 10 years later it is not bad. But I never heard of coyotes going in someones house. But I like the security doors, I have had my own dogs tear through our own screen doors in our previous house.

Swamp coolers use very little power, you can run them with the water pump off and it's like a whole house fan...


Rich

[NMHacker]

I don't know if you need a security door. I think they look hideous on a home but that is my preference. I am more afraid of several other domesticated dog breads than coyotes. They tend to leave people alone and are much more afraid of you than you of them.

[KathieRR]

Poncho_NM: My strictly indoor cats have never pushed any screens out. I didn't know you could run a swamp cooler as a whole house fan. I'll try that tonight. Thank you so much for your advice.

NMHacker: I also hate the look of security doors. My patio door is not a standard size, so I don't even know if I could get a security door for it without paying lots of money. Thank you so much for your advice.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by KathieRR

Poncho_NM: My strictly indoor cats have never pushed any screens out.

Thank you so much for your advice.

That security door was installed in 1990... Dog proof and grand-children proof. The large dog use to sleep laying his head against it... So they last a long time. I got tired of replacing the flimsy screen doors. It's just a mater of personal preference:




Rich

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

That security door was installed in 1990...

I don't think all security doors look bad. That one looks good.

A little steel, some sturdy steel screen and you are all set.

They can be painted in some fun colors and add to the decor of the house.

.... cool dogs, BTW. We just got a new one like that who moved
in to the neighborhood. It isn't a collie, but a huge sheltie.

[KathieRR]

They were back again early last evening (when the Sun was starting to set) and very early this morning (when the Sun was rising). Although I'm grateful to know they're clearly dogs (unless coyotes come in black and white), I still don't like being woken up when I'm sleeping. Oh well, I guess I should just consider myself lucky that they aren't coyotes (at least I hope they aren't) after all.

Thanks again to everybody for their very kind and helpful advice.

[Matt518]

Saw this guy several times this morning while running on the Tramway Trail between Rover and Menaul. Taken at Tramway & Menaul. The closest I got to him was about 20 feet - I just saw his tail as he darted behind a bush. He came out the other side of the bush, paused and stared right at me (about 20 feet away). It would have been a perfect pic, but by the time I got my phone out, opened the camera app and zoomed it in, he was halfway across Tramway.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Matt518

The closest I got to him was about 20 feet - I just saw his tail as he darted behind a bush.

A lot of them don't pose. I did have one just stare at me while I was trying to get my camera out. It was an eerie feeling... Then it darted off.


Rich