COYOTES-very concerning to me now! (Denver, Boulder: living, moving, suburbs)

[twowolves]

Video Library - cbs4denver.com

I am reading more and more lately about your coyote problem. Only now they are attacking humans. Not good.

I have little children. How will they play outside? How can you have any type of pet, even a large dog-if they are also being attacked?!

In this latest, a 75lb Lab was a victim along with his owner/woman-and there were not only 1 or 2, but 3 coyotes....a pack!!!!

This is very disconcerting to me. Especially that the last 2 months of news coverage on the coyote problem...has localized the issue to the southern areas of Denver, just where we were interested in living.

[denverian]

I've lost 2 cats, a dog, three kids, and my legs to coyotes

Seriously, you're more likely to get run over by a car in Denver than attacked by a coyote.

[sunsprit]

There are open spaces in the Denver Metro area where coyotes thrive, as they're adaptable and capable of surviving on very little food.

Normally, they will avoid larger animals (big dogs, humans), but if they're really hungry and get together in a pack, they can attack (and possibly kill) domestic animals.

The coyotes are quick learners and sophisticated pack hunters. For example, they are "smart" enough to have one of their pack draw a guard dog away from the rest of the pack while they attack their prey. Although when single, they will shy away from such a challenge and avoid confrontations ... but that's why you'll hear a coyote "howling" now and then ... they have various "calls" to their buddies to alert that they've found a likey prey animal, and they're calling in support and buddies to share in the kill and possible feast.

Apparently, in the recent attack on the 75 lb dog, the woman got hurt while trying to get involved between the coyote and protecting her dog.

[downtownnola]

If it makes you feel any better, I have never even seen a coyote. They are actually very timid animals. I would put this at the bottom of your list of concerns.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by downtownnola

If it makes you feel any better, I have never even seen a coyote. They are actually very timid animals. I would put this at the bottom of your list of concerns.

I just saw one Sunday afternoon in a park in Stapleton. I was surprised to see one out in broad daylight like that, with people all over the park. I don't walk my dog in that park though - it also has foxes, beavers, prarie dogs, hawks, owls... Who needs a zoo when you've got all that down the street?

[twowolves]

I showed my husband the video and he wasn't concerned about it. Nothing rattles him though.....maybe that's why I overworry!

He said the coyote issue is about equal to getting bitten by a poisonous spider here....not likely.

I guess he's right.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by twowolves

I showed my husband the video and he wasn't concerned about it. Nothing rattles him though.....maybe that's why I overworry!

He said the coyote issue is about equal to getting bitten by a poisonous spider here....not likely.

I guess he's right.

Yeah, that's funny. We're always comfortable with the threats where we live, but scared of new/different threats. I'd probably be always checking my sheets in Florida for poisonous bugs! Bugs are minimal here, so that's a plus. At least you can see the coyote coming at you - the black widdow can sneak up on you in your sleep

One threat that does scare me here is rattlesnakes. Seems like every summer you hear about someone getting bitten by one, even a kid on a playground a couple years ago. Now I've personally never seen one, but I generally don't walk anywhere that's not paved or freshly mown, cared for grass where I can see what's there. I don't think they commonly come into develped areas and people's lawns, but snakes give me some serious willies!

[mczabe]

I live in the south suburbs and have yet to catch a glimpse of a coyote. I have no worries letting my dog out in our fenced yard at night, and my kids regularly spend hours playing in the yard with no concern. Granted we aren't along a trail or open space...but honestly, if you are truly worried, I think it's pretty easy to just avoid walking on trails.

From one mother hen to another - it's nothing to keep you from moving here. I don't really have a position on population control, but I'm sure the powers that be in the south suburbs will very shortly be "handling" the problem. Children being dragged away by dingoes just doesn't bode well for property values.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by downtownnola

If it makes you feel any better, I have never even seen a coyote. They are actually very timid animals. I would put this at the bottom of your list of concerns.

I live in Boulder County and I have seen plenty of coyotes. My kids' HS mascot is the Coyote! When the police sirens go off at night, you can hear them howling away. It's spooky.

[ottodog]

I think you guys worry too much..