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We live in a town with a big coyote population and also we have a tremendous deer population so the coyote are well fed. We also have a leash law and I rarely see outside cats.
The other night the howling of a group of coyote in the field behind our house was so loud we could hear it inside our house.
Every night at my bedtime I take 6 lb Toby on the leash and 15 lb Lucy (11 years old) walking behind us on the sidewalk in front of my own house for one last pee. Tonight I started wondering if either of my dogs were in any danger of being ambushed and eaten by a coyote. Last year I was tending my garden when barely 10 feet from me I saw two deer swoosh by being pursued by a coyote. The only time I've heard of anybody losing a pet was when I see a Cat Missing poster and we all figure it was eaten by a coyote. So even if I had both dogs on leashes would a coyote come sneaking up to grab one?
Let me clarify. I know they will eat dogs but would they attack with a human so close by?
We live in a town with a big coyote population and also we have a tremendous deer population so the coyote are well fed. We also have a leash law and I rarely see outside cats.
The other night the howling of a group of coyote in the field behind our house was so loud we could hear it inside our house.
Every night at my bedtime I take 6 lb Toby on the leash and 15 lb Lucy (11 years old) walking behind us on the sidewalk in front of my own house for one last pee. Tonight I started wondering if either of my dogs were in any danger of being ambushed and eaten by a coyote. Last year I was tending my garden when barely 10 feet from me I saw two deer swoosh by being pursued by a coyote. The only time I've heard of anybody losing a pet was when I see a Cat Missing poster and we all figure it was eaten by a coyote. So even if I had both dogs on leashes would a coyote come sneaking up to grab one?
Let me clarify. I know they will eat dogs but would they attack with a human so close by?
Yes, a coyote will attack a human.
You and Lucy would be no match for a coyote, arm yourself and be prepared to take action.
What you need: a cane or a strong stick, an airhorn, pepper spray, or a small caliber handgun.
Watch the youtube video.
Location: A Very Naughtytown In Northwestern Montanifornia U.S.A.
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On 10-28-2009 two coyotes killed a young healthy and strong woman (an up-coming musician) in a Canadian provincial park. Don't think for a minute that they only kill smaller animals than themselves.
They kill livestock also and not just chickens, they take down cattle, sheep, horses etc.
It's possible that coyotes would attack your dogs, even with you nearby, since they seem to view all canines as territorial competitors. It's a hierarchy: wolves will attack coyotes and domestic dogs; coyotes will attack foxes and domestic dogs. To my knowledge, the attack on the Canadian woman was the only known human death from coyotes in the last century or so. They are normally very skittish of humans. Domestic dogs kill hundreds of people every year.
It's possible that coyotes would attack your dogs, even with you nearby, since they seem to view all canines as territorial competitors. It's a hierarchy: wolves will attack coyotes and domestic dogs; coyotes will attack foxes and domestic dogs. To my knowledge, the attack on the Canadian woman was the only known human death from coyotes in the last century or so. They are normally very skittish of humans. Domestic dogs kill hundreds of people every year.
I actually found several youtube videos of coyotes attacking humans, but I cannot post the links for them here because of their nature and the vulgar language used in them.
wow---that is really disturbing, especially in daylight. I will leash both dogs from now on and carry a cane. I've been living with a false sense of safety thinking they would not come close to a human. Thanks for the responses.
I don't know if their habits vary with locality but around here (NE PA) one coyote is pretty timid. Would definitely attack an unattended dog but not with a human there. But they usually run in packs and they'll attack pretty much anything. Like most predators, they do prefer easy prey. You might walk with a friend. Or get a donkey.
wow---that is really disturbing, especially in daylight. I will leash both dogs from now on and carry a cane. I've been living with a false sense of safety thinking they would not come close to a human. Thanks for the responses.
While out in the west for a few years, we had a dog and we went to areas of the high desert rockhounding for quartz specimens.
We normally let the dog loose to let him run and exercise.
We used to frequent the feed and grain store in town where we'd talk about stuff.
The western cowboy warned us about what a coyote or pack would and could do. We found it astounding when he told us to take care because a dog, almost any, if running loose, could be lured away from it's owner by one lone coyote, and then later ganged up on by a pack.
At first, we took his advice with a grain of salt, but after doing some research about the animal, and after ours was nearly lured away later during another trip rock hunting, we quit doing that, as we were afraid of losing him.
I don't know what type of a defense you can mount with a stick or a cane, as some will use a hit and run tactic, that is, one will come in and try to bite or snatch one dog from you. Maybe a air horn or a handgun might work better for you? Pepper spray might work, but again, you would have to allow the coyote within striking distance of yourself/pets.
In a .22 caliber, they do make birdshot to use in a rifle or pistol/revolver. It's usually harmless but will sting an animal when it makes contact. And it's range is very short. You would probably have to allow the coyote to come close to you to make the sting effect of the birdshot work. GunWeek.com
The bad thing about the .22 caliber slug, is that it can travel up to 1 1/2 miles, so if you're in a populated area, one stray bullet can kill or injure another human being, go through a building wall or do other unintended damage. It can ricochet off the ground, rocks or other objects if you miss the coyote. If you do decide to arm yourself, be sure to check with your local laws, and attend some type of gun safety/training classes.
Stuff happens but attacks on humans are really rare. I wouldn't worry about walking your dogs unless the coyotes were having a hard time finding food. Where do you live?
When I lived in Arizona, we had them in our neighborhood, broad daylight sometimes. I walked a lot around the area and I would see them right there, running into a backyard, etc., but they avoided me and me them. I doubt they'd attack with a human right there walking a dog. I know a lot of people who walked their pets in the area and never heard of any incident.
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